University of Iowa logo

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

What are your chances of getting into University of Iowa?

The University of Iowa is a large public research university in Iowa City that blends the feel of a major Big Ten campus with a strong college-town setting along the Iowa River. It is especially well known for creative writing, health sciences, and research-intensive programs, with standout strength in areas like speech and hearing science, pharmacy, medicine, and the arts. The university offers 200-plus majors across 12 colleges, so students can move between broad liberal arts options and more professional paths. Campus life is active but not overwhelming, with hundreds of student organizations, strong school spirit, and a visible athletics culture. With an admit rate around 84 percent and middle-50% SAT range of 1130 to 1330, it is accessible relative to many flagship publics while still offering substantial academic resources. Students who thrive here usually want a lively, collaborative environment with lots of options, and they are comfortable in a medium-sized city where the university is the center of daily life.

University of Iowa logo

University of Iowa

Less selective

0%
Admission rate
1130–1330
SAT
21–28
ACT
#0
US rank

Calculate your chances at University of Iowa

Enter your GPA and test scores, add other schools, and see where you stand instantly.

Your Academic Profile

Estimates based on admitted-student data. Real decisions also weigh essays, recommendations, and course rigor.

Your results

Enter your GPA to see your academic score.

University of Iowa logo
University of Iowa

Admit rate 84% · SAT 1130–1330

Add GPA

Your chances map appears here once you enter a GPA and add colleges.

Strengths

  • Strong reputation in creative writing, health sciences, and other nationally recognized programs
  • Large public-university resources with 200-plus majors and substantial research opportunities
  • Vibrant campus culture with Big Ten spirit, many clubs, and a true college-town setting
  • Accessible admissions profile compared with more selective flagship universities

Things to weigh

  • Very large campus and enrollment can feel impersonal for students who want a small-college atmosphere
  • Iowa City offers fewer big-city amenities than applicants who want an urban setting may prefer
  • Highly regarded programs can still be competitive within the university, especially in professional fields
  • Weather and winter conditions can be a drawback for students who dislike cold, snowy climates

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into University of Iowa?+

University of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score between 1130 and 1330 on the SAT. Enter your GPA and test scores above and this calculator estimates your personal chances in seconds, and tells you whether University of Iowa is a safety, match, or reach for your profile.

Is this the most accurate college admissions calculator?+

Counselly's chances calculator runs on real, current admissions data, the actual admit rates and SAT/ACT ranges colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education, not averages scraped from forums. Our algorithm weighs your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular strength against each school's admitted-student profile the way an admissions reader would begin, which makes it one of the most reliable free tools for seeing where you'll get into college.

How does the calculator predict my chances of getting in?+

It compares your academic profile to each college's real admitted class. We look at where your GPA and test scores fall within a school's 25th to 75th percentile range, combine that with the school's overall admit rate, and factor in your extracurricular strength, then translate it into a clear percentage and a Safety, Match, or Reach label. Everything recalculates instantly as you add schools or adjust your stats.

What counts as a good chance of getting into a college?+

Roughly above 60% is a Safety, you're comfortably ahead of the typical admitted student. Around 30 to 60% is a Match, realistic and worth prioritizing. Below 30% is a Reach, still absolutely worth applying to if it's a dream school. The strongest college lists balance all three, and Counselly helps you build exactly that kind of list.

Which colleges can I check my admission chances for?+

Hundreds of US colleges and universities, from Ivy League schools to large public flagships to smaller private colleges. Just start typing, MIT, UCLA, NYU, Michigan, and pick from the suggestions. We're continuously expanding our data, and your free assessment goes even further, matching you to programs across the country based on your full profile.

Can a calculator really tell me where I will get accepted?+

No tool can promise an outcome, and you should be cautious of any that claims to. What Counselly does exceptionally well is show you, honestly and instantly, exactly where you stand academically at each college, so you can build a smart, balanced list instead of guessing. Your essays, recommendations, and story do the rest, and your free assessment is built to help you strengthen all of them.

Is the college chances calculator free?+

Completely free, and no signup is required to use it. When you're ready to go further, your full assessment, the complete list of colleges where you're a strong fit plus a step-by-step plan to raise your odds, is also free to unlock with an account.

Check your chances at other colleges