Even with higher tuition rates, Iowa State’s overall tuition remains low when compared to its peers.
Tuition rates vary by:
- Residency status (resident, non-resident, or international)
- Level of study (undergraduate, lower/upper division, graduate, or professional)
- Field of study
Tuition rates for part-time students (those taking 11 or fewer credits in a semester) are pro-rated and assessed on a credit hour basis. Students taking only distance education courses are assessed resident tuition rates.
Why is tuition higher for some academic programs?
Some academic programs charge higher tuition rates because the cost of delivering those programs is higher, and added revenue is needed to ensure a high quality educational experience. Tuition rates for these programs are adjusted by the same annual percentage increase as the university’s base tuition.
Undergraduate students pay higher tuition in these colleges or academic programs:
| College or Major | When higher rates typically begin | Minimum semesters before paying higher tuition* |
|---|---|---|
| Business Sophomore | 30 credits | 3 |
| Business Junior and Senior | 60 credits | 6 |
| Engineering/AST-ITEC Sophomore/Junior/Senior | 30 credits | 3 |
| Architecture | Upon entry into program | NA |
| Community and Regional Planning | Upon entry into the program | NA |
| Graphic Design | Upon entry into program | NA |
| Integrated Studio Arts | Upon entry into program | NA |
| Interdisciplinary Design | Upon entry into program | NA |
| Interior Design | Upon entry into program | NA |
| Landscape Architecture | Upon entry into program | NA |
| Experiential Learning Based | 60 credits | 6 |
| Specific Majors | 60 credits | 6 |
| Industrial Design | Upon entry into program | NA |
*Number of semesters includes summer, and counts regardless of registration status.
NOTES
- Students majoring in architecture or industrial design begin paying higher tuition rates when they are admitted into those programs.
- Transfer students may be assessed the higher tuition rate upon entry to ISU
When are higher tuition rates assessed?
Students in programs that charge higher tuition typically begin paying the higher rate as juniors and seniors (upper division status), once they have completed 60 credits. This is the point where much of students’ coursework is concentrated in their major.
Upper-division status is evaluated at the beginning of each semester. A student with 57 credits at the beginning of the semester, for example, would not pay the higher rate.
Are higher tuition rates assessed for the summer semester?
Yes. However, most students typically take only 1-2 classes during the summer, so in those cases the higher rates would be assessed per credit hour.
Why do upper-division students pay higher tuition?
Iowa State strives to provide a quality education to every student, and financial resources are important to meeting that goal. Class sizes tend to get smaller during the second half of students’ degree programs, featuring increased levels of specialization, additional laboratory and experiential learning opportunities and, in many cases, more personalized interaction with faculty.
According to a recent Board of Regents report, the FY2015 undergraduate cost of instruction – which represents actual costs related to instruction, research, academic support, student services, and other items – was $12,682 for upper division students, compared to $9,008 for lower division students, a $3,600 difference.
Charging the higher tuition rate also helps ensure that students in programs with lower instructional costs are not subsidizing the students who choose to major in higher cost programs.
What about college credits earned before students arrive at Iowa State?
Many students earn a substantial number of college credits in high school, but in some cases, not all of those credits may transfer to the their degree programs. However, students entering Iowa State directly from high school will pay the higher tuition rate no earlier than their seventh semester (number of semesters includes summer, and counts regardless of registration status), even if they have more than 60 credits due to credit earned in high school. (Tuition rates based on entrance into program are not included in this policy).
How are the higher tuition revenues used?
Iowa State programs that charge higher tuition rates use the added revenue to hire additional faculty, which lowers the university’s student-faculty ratio; maintain high-quality laboratory equipment and staff; and to expand high-impact experiential learning opportunities for students.
How do I appeal my tuition rate?
If a student feels they are not paying the appropriate tuition rate, they have the right to submit an appeal to their academic college, following the guidelines established by that college.
How does Iowa State ease the financial burden for students?
Iowa State takes the issue of affordability very seriously, and launched seveeral programs and initiatives to help students manage and even lower their debt:
- ISU has led efforts to raise millions of dollars for student scholarships through his Moving Students Forward initiative
- The average debt load for Iowa State graduates has declined
- The Office of Student Financial Success, established in 2014, provides one-on-one advising to help students understand budgeting, responsible borrowing, and how to “live like a student”