The University of Iowa is the state's flagship public research university, in Iowa City. It is best known for the Iowa Writers' Workshop, medicine, business, engineering and speech pathology, with a large academic medical centre on campus. Choose it for a well-ranked public degree in a UNESCO City of Literature at moderate cost.
Iowa City, United States
Official website: uiowa.edu
#596
The most famous creative writing programme in the US
Member
Top 5 in the US (U.S. News)
$28,000 – $34,000
International students, non-resident undergraduate and master's rates
$13,000 – $17,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on uiowa.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 81
MS Business Analytics (Tippie)
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 81
MS Electrical and Computer Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 81
MS Finance (Tippie)
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 81
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 81
BBA Business Analytics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Iowa Writers' Workshop — alumni and faculty include dozens of Pulitzer Prize winners.
Iowa City — a UNESCO City of Literature and one of the best-known US college towns.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics — one of the largest teaching hospitals in the US.
Tippie College of Business — AACSB-accredited, strong in analytics and finance.
Graduates join Collins Aerospace, John Deere, Principal Financial, Amazon and Chicago's firms.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Tippie business analytics graduates report placement rates above 90% within three months.
Engineering bachelor's graduates report median starting salaries around USD 65,000-75,000.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus straddles the Iowa River in the middle of Iowa City, with the Old Capitol at its centre, the hospital and engineering on the west bank and downtown a block from the Pentacrest.
Iowa City is a small, literary college town with low rent, a lively downtown and cold winters. Chicago is about three and a half hours away by car.
Form I-20 issued by the University of Iowa
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduate admission is rolling, with a 1 November 2026 priority date for fall 2027 that gives the best chance at merit scholarships; applications stay open into spring. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most engineering and computer science master's closing between December and February.
Undergraduates can start in fall (August) or spring (January). Most engineering and computer science master's programmes also admit for spring, while Tippie's business master's and public health are fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. International Student and Scholar Services issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, business analytics, electrical and computer engineering, finance and public health attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, TOEFL 81 or IELTS 7.0, and the GRE or GMAT for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is based mainly on grades.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on their grades when they apply by the priority date; need-based aid is not available. Graduate students can apply for teaching and research assistantships, which are common in engineering, the sciences and public health.
