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Colleges / The University of Iowa

The University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate86%

Iowa Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time Iowa students was $10,964 a year for in-state students and $32,927 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

International students can expect to pay 32,927 per year for tuition at The University of Iowa.

The University of Iowa meets 73% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend The University of Iowa full-time are awarded $14,150 a year in financial aid, on average.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $28,993 of debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at The University of Iowa

The University of Iowa is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $10,964 for in-state students who attend full-time. For non-Iowa residents, out-of-state tuition is $32,927 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a school where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Don't forget to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Iowa colleges

The University of Iowa International Student Tuition

The University of Iowa has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at The University of Iowa can expect to pay around $32,927 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or The University of Iowa-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at The University of Iowa:

•On-campus jobs •The University of Iowa-specific loans •Athletic Awards •The University of Iowa-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


The University of Iowa Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at The University of Iowa.

House and Food Costs at The University of Iowa

Housing and campus dining at The University of Iowa is $12,616 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the The University of Iowa's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at The University of Iowa?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways so that those with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At The University of Iowa, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area might be costly, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The University of Iowais in a town in Iowa.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


Financial Breakdown for The University of Iowa


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to The University of Iowa.

How Much Does The University of Iowa Cost?

What will the cost of attending The University of Iowa be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $10,964
Out-of-State Tuition $32,927
Room and Board $12,616
Other expenses $2,774

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


The University of Iowa Financial Aid


In 2023, 9,012 of the 21,608 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. The University of Iowa meets 73% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $14,150 a year. Around 50% of The University of Iowa undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. The University of Iowa graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,993 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $21,571
The University of Iowa-Specific Loans $6,223
Private Loans $33,764
Most Common Loans for The University of Iowa Students
Federal Loans 50%
Private loans 12%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on The University of Iowa financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at The University of Iowa

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, The University of Iowa awarded 7,411 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $78.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $42.91 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of The University of Iowa

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for The University of Iowa students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at The University of Iowa was $14,150 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of The University of Iowa seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $646
Net In-state, Off-campus $-594
Out-of-State, On-Campus $36,759

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending The University of Iowa really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the The University of Iowa's net cost calculator on their website.

The University of Iowa Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Iowa Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

The University of Iowa's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of The University of Iowa's endowment was $1.251 billion. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, The University of Iowa spends about $14,593 a year.


Learn More About The University of Iowa


Choose one of the options below to find out more about about The University of Iowa:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about The University of Iowa

Iowa Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$26,172

In State

$48,135

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$10,964
$32,927
Fees
$1,642
$1,642
Housing
$12,616
$12,616
Books
$950
$950

Iowa Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

38%

Average Financial Aid Package

$13,719

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

29,909

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

86%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$12,606

Out-of-State

$34,569

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

May 1
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