About Iowa State

ISU at a glance

Iowa State's student-built solar car finished third in the stock class of the 2005 North American Solar Challenge, the world's longest solar car race.

Iowa State is an international, prestigious university with a friendly welcoming personality. Nearly 28,000 students choose from 100 majors, study with world-class scholars and hone their leadership skills in more than 750 student organizations. Iowa State offers a great environment where students can enjoy reaching their potential and discovering their passions. It's a culturally diverse student body from all 50 states and more than 110 countries.

Nice study spots abound on central campus.

Academics

U.S News and World Report ranks Iowa State among the top 50 public universities. Iowa State freshmen get an early boost in academic success by participating in the university's nationally recognized learning communities.

Research

Iowa State is recognized internationally for research programs that are especially interdisciplinary. Breakthroughs at Iowa State that are changing the world are in the areas of human, social, economic, and environmental sustainability; new materials and processes for biomedical as well as industrial applications; nutrition, health, and wellness for humans and animals; transportation and infrastructure; food safety and security; plant and animal sciences; information and decision sciences; and renewable energies.

A land-grant school

Abraham Lincoln signed the law that gave birth to land-grant universities. Iowa State was the first to accept the provisions of the law: student access to high quality liberal and practical education regardless of ethnic background or social class, the creation of new knowledge by its professors that can benefit the state's citizens, and a commitment to share that new knowledge far beyond the campus borders.

Leadership

Iowa State President Dr. Gregory L. Geoffroy is leading the university in advancing the land-grant ideals of education, research and service, and putting science and technology to work. Under his direction since becoming president in 2001, Iowa State is strengthening its position as a leading international research university, a student-centered university that provides a top quality education to students, and an invaluable resource for Iowa, the nation and the world.

Athletics

Iowa State fields 18 intercollegiate teams in the Big 12 Conference, the nation's premier athletics conference. A strong fan base helps the Cyclones continuously break attendance records and earn top honors in recent national online polls ranking the best "student spirit" (Hilton Coliseum) and "most dominant mascot on Earth" (Cy).

Entertainment and the arts

Iowa State has the largest collection of public art on any campus in the nation. The presence of this art and the renowned landscaping and building architecture has ranked the campus among the 25 most beautiful n the nation. The university's Reiman Gardens has one of best public rose gardens in the United States, and the university regularly draws to the Iowa State Center performers like Kenny Chesney, Widespread Panic and Incubus, along with Broadway musicals and international symphonies. More.

The ISU Center hosts top entertainers from around the world.

Ames

Home to the university is Ames, Iowa, population of 50,000. It has small town charm with the heartbeat of a big city. It is ranked among the top small America cities in which to live, work and do business. It is easily accessible from Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha, Minneapolis and Chicago. Ames info and photos.

Fast Company magazine ranked Des Moines as the "hippest city in America."

Iowa

Great schools, safe communities, plenty of entertainment and friendly people are part of what makes Iowa the fourth most-livable state. Iowa facts and video.

It's a land-grant

Abraham Lincoln signed the law that gave birth to the land-grant universities. Iowa State was one of the first of these special colleges founded on three big ideas: Open higher education to all, teach practical classes, and share knowledge far beyond the campus borders.