Iowa State University, which sits about 30 miles north of Des Moines, has an excellent agricultural college, as you might expect. But the math and science departments are also among the best at any state university. In fact, some of the school's 30,000 students come from all around the world to study there (although more than half of all undergraduate students are Iowan).
Iowa State is an even more attractive option when considering the low tuition costs. The net price of a degree for in-state students, as calculated by Money, is about $76,000 before federal and state aid are included. That lands it in the top 10% for affordability on our 2025-2026 ratings.
Iowa State is a leader in virtual reality, with a research center it says is "aimed broadly at enhancing the productivity and creativity of people." Students can explore their interests through hundreds of clubs, including the Ames Flyers, a group for lovers of all things aviation, or the Wall Street Club, a networking group for budding investors. Iowa State's graduation rate of 74% is above that of similar schools. About 10 years after enrolling, the median salary is $63,000, according to Money’s calculations.
