Iowa State University Computer Science Degrees
Iowa State University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
Computer science degrees at Iowa State University are carried out through the school’s Department of Computer Science. Students can major in computer science as an undergraduate or graduate student. Conversely, students may choose to minor in computer science while pursuing a different degree.
Undergraduate degrees at Iowa State University include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or a Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Along with the core classes that are required for all bachelor of science degrees, students may take classes like Computer Literacy and Applications, Fundamentals in Computer Programming or Discrete Computational Structures. Students enrolled as undergraduates must take all classes in-seat. Online classes are available but may only be taken by non-degree seeking students.
Students interested in earning both a bachelor and a master’s degree can enroll earn both concurrently. Students may choose a concurrent B.S./M.S in Computer Science or a concurrent M.B.A./B.S. in Computer Science. Students who are accepted into these programs are able to complete both degrees in five years.
Prospective students at Iowa State University who already have undergraduate degrees may apply to the Computer Science Graduate Program. Students may seek a master’s degree or a Ph.D. through the graduate program. Iowa State University also offers a Certificate in Computing Applications. Students may only enroll in the certificate program once they have completed all undergraduate study.
About Iowa State University
Iowa State University, located in Ames, is the flagship and largest university in the state of Iowa. The university was established in 1858 by the Iowa General Assembly as an institute for learning about farming and agriculture. Today, Iowa State University is known as a research university with over 100 undergraduate programs and more than 200 graduate degrees.
The university is arguably best known for being a part of the Manhattan Project, which was a research and development program that led to the development of the first atomic bomb. Iowa State University is the only university that has a U.S. Department of Energy research facility.
Iowa State is also known for athletics. The university was a founding member of the Big 12 Conference and the Central States Collegiate Hockey League. Iowa State University boasts 12 sports that include football, basketball, wrestling, golf, softball, track and field, cross country, swimming and diving, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, and volleyball.
The university has been home to a number of individuals who have gone on to make great strides in their fields. George Washington Carver, one of the nation’s greatest scientists and inventors, was the first African American student at Iowa State. He earned both a B.S. and M.S. degree at the university.
Iowa State University Accreditation Details
Iowa State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. While this accreditation covers all graduate degrees, undergraduate degrees, and certificate programs, various degree programs hold additional accreditation through specialized governing bodies.
The computer science program at Iowa State University is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. ABET is the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology.
Iowa State University Application Requirements
Applicants to Iowa State University must use the online application. Students may have official transcripts sent to the school or they can self-report their class rank and GPA. Students are also allowed to self-report college admission test results. Some scholarships may require official transcripts, but all admissions are based on self-reported data. Official final transcripts are required once the student has completed their high school education for verification purposes only. Should a student’s self-reported test scores, ranking and GPA not align with the official transcripts, the admission offer may be rescinded.
Students are admitted to the university if they hold a Regent Admission Index score of over 245. This score is calculated by multiplying the ACT test result by 3 and the cumulative GPA by 30. These scores are added to the number of core courses that were completed in high school. In addition, all applicants must have completed four years of English or language arts, three years of mathematics, three years of science and two years of social studies.
Graduate applicants must complete an online application. They must also provide GRE test scores, official transcripts, a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. The graduate program in computer science does not require any supplemental materials or a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition for Iowa state residents is approximately $9,300 per year. Out-of-state students can expect to pay tuition at a rate of about $24,500. In addition to tuition, students will have expenses for room and board, books and supplies and other personal expenses. Iowa State University estimates that in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students can expect a cost of $21,940 and $37,128 per year, respectively.
Students may offset the cost of tuition through grants, scholarships and/or student loans. Iowa State offers OneApp, which allows students to apply for most institutional scholarships in one location. Iowa state residents may be eligible for merit-based scholarships that cover up to the full cost of tuition. Students from other states may still be eligible for automatic awards based on GPA and ACT scores. Prospective students from outside Iowa should contact the Iowa State University financial aid office as Different states may have differing award levels and requirements.
All students should complete the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for state grants, federal grants, most need-based scholarships, and some personal loans. Even those students who do not believe they will qualify for need-based scholarships and grants should complete the FAFSA.
Computer science graduate students can expect tuition costs of about $13,000 per year for Iowa residents and $28,330 per year for non-residents. Graduate students should also plan expenses for room and board, books and supplies, medical insurance and any personal expenses. Iowa State University estimates that graduate students in the computer science program will have expenses totaling $28,000 per year for residents and $43,000 for non-residents. Students may fund graduate learning with scholarships, loans, grants or assistantships.
Learn more about Iowa State University‘s computer science program by visiting the departmental website.
Related Resources:
