University of Iowa Acceptance Rate
Iowa City, Iowa · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 25,682
- Admitted
- 21,746
- Yield
- 23.3%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of Iowa's acceptance rate has risen from 80.9% in 2014–15 to 84.7% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 24,097 to 25,682 (+7%) over that period.
Its 84.7% rate makes University of Iowa more selective than about 32% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 26 tracked Iowa schools, it is more selective than about 35%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (87% for women vs 81.8% for men, a 5.2-point gap). University of Iowa has been test-optional since 2022–23. Of admitted students, 23.3% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 24,097 | 19,506 | 80.9% | 4,666 |
| 2015–16 | 26,222 | 21,171 | 80.7% | 5,241 |
| 2016–17 | 28,494 | 23,967 | 84.1% | 5,643 |
| 2017–18 | 27,734 | 23,862 | 86% | 5,027 |
| 2018–19 | 26,706 | 22,077 | 82.7% | 4,806 |
| 2019–20 | 25,928 | 21,404 | 82.6% | 4,986 |
| 2020–21 | 24,132 | 20,338 | 84.3% | 4,510 |
| 2021–22 | 22,434 | 19,340 | 86.2% | 4,521 |
| 2022–23 | 25,729 | 22,128 | 86% | 5,178 |
| 2023–24 | 25,682 | 21,746 | 84.7% | 5,064 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 14,209 | 12,359 | 87% |
| Men | 11,425 | 9,346 | 81.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 570–660 | 19% |
| SAT Math | 560–660 | |
| ACT Composite | 22–28 | 59% |
How University of Iowa compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of Iowa's acceptance rate?
University of Iowa's acceptance rate is 84.7% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (21,746 admitted of 25,682 applicants).
Is University of Iowa test optional?
University of Iowa is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of Iowa?
University of Iowa received 25,682 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 21,746.
What SAT score do you need for University of Iowa?
Admitted students at University of Iowa typically scored 570–660 on SAT Reading/Writing and 560–660 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of Iowa getting harder to get into?
University of Iowa has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 80.9% in 2014–15 to 84.7% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.uiowa.edu/.