Iowa Student Diversity: Where Do They Call Home?

where are university of iowa students from

The University of Iowa, Iowa's first state university, is a public research institution with a large alumni network of over 250,000 graduates. The university's 32,000 students come from diverse backgrounds, with a mix of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The university has a rich history, founded in 1847, and is known for its academic excellence and vibrant student life, with nearly 500 student organizations and 22 varsity athletic teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Characteristics Values
Type Public institution
Year founded 1847
Location Iowa City
Campus size 2,122 acres
Student population 32,000
Undergraduate enrollment 22,130
Varsity athletic teams 22, known as the Iowa Hawkeyes
Alumni network Over 250,000 graduates
Notable alumni Jewel Prestage, Tom Brokaw, Mark Mattson, Caitlin Clark, Ashton Kutcher
Rankings Top 5% of universities in the world; #98 in National Universities in 2025

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University of Iowa's undergraduate enrollment

The University of Iowa, founded in 1847, is Iowa's first state university and flagship public research institution. It offers more than 200 areas of study and 7 professional degrees. The university is organised into 12 colleges and has an urban campus of 1,880 acres on the banks of the Iowa River.

The University of Iowa's undergraduate enrollment for the 2024 incoming class is 5,208, which is the third-largest in university history. This year, a total of 22,738 undergraduates are enrolled at the university, including 1,083 transfer students. The first-year class of 2024 is also one of the highest-achieving, with an average high school grade point average of 3.83.

The University of Iowa is home to students from diverse backgrounds and experiences. For example, Nick Stodden of West Des Moines, Iowa, chose the university for its research opportunities, while Olive Hayes of Glenview, Illinois, was drawn to the campus community and its emphasis on the arts. Lucas Ralston of Iowa City looks forward to his coursework in various fields and participating in music ensembles, while Will Clair of Marion, Iowa, is excited to pursue a new major in criminology, law, and justice.

The university's alumni network exceeds 250,000 graduates, including notable figures such as Jewel Prestage, the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in political science, and Tom Brokaw, Mark Mattson, Caitlin Clark, and Ashton Kutcher.

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The university's ranking

The University of Iowa is a public research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It was founded on February 25, 1847, and was the state's first public university. The university is composed of 11 colleges, with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences being the largest. The University of Iowa's 32,000 students can choose from over 200 areas of study and 7 professional degrees.

The University of Iowa has a strong reputation for its research and academic programs. It is classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". In fiscal year 2021, research expenditures at Iowa totalled $818 million. The university has notable alumni across various fields, including Jewel Prestage, the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in political science; Tom Brokaw, a well-known journalist; and Ashton Kutcher, an actor.

The University of Iowa is ranked highly among American universities. In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges by US News, the university is ranked #98 out of 436 National Universities. The ranking is based on a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. The university is also recognised for its athletic teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes, which compete in Division I of the NCAA and are members of the Big Ten Conference.

In addition to its overall ranking, the University of Iowa has achieved notable rankings in specific areas. It is recognised as the best public university for writing and communication, with renowned writing-related resources that prepare its graduates for success. The university was the original developer of the Master of Fine Arts degree and operates the Iowa Writers' Workshop, which has produced 17 Pulitzer Prize winners. The University of Iowa also has top-ranked graduate programs in audiology, printmaking, creative writing, speech-language pathology, and nursing service administration.

The University of Iowa is also known for its research contributions in various fields. It has world-renowned research programs in genetics, hydraulics, and speech and hearing. Additionally, the university has recorded major innovations in agricultural medicine, biocatalysis, biomedical engineering, biomedical sciences, and pharmacology education. The University of Iowa operates a comprehensive teaching hospital and has developed the world's most technically advanced driving simulator.

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Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes are the 22 varsity athletic teams representing the University of Iowa, which was founded in 1847 and is the state's first and flagship public research institution. The university is ranked among the top 5% of universities in the world, with 200 areas of study and 7 professional degrees. The Iowa Hawkeyes compete in Division I of the NCAA and are members of the Big Ten Conference.

The University of Iowa has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,130 students as of Fall 2023, with a campus size of 2,122 acres. The university is located in Iowa City, which is considered one of America's best college towns. The student body takes part in nearly 500 student organizations, including groups focused on politics, sports, games, lifestyles, dance, and song. The Iowa Hawkeyes' athletic teams include famous alumni such as Caitlin Clark.

The University of Iowa was the first public university to admit men and women on an equal basis and to host a department of religious studies. It also opened the first co-educational medical school. The university's alumni network exceeds 250,000 graduates, including notable individuals such as Ashton Kutcher, Tom Brokaw, and Mark Mattson.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have access to world-class athletic facilities and resources. The university's library system is the largest in the state, with over five million bound volumes, 200,000 rare books, and 1,000 historical manuscript collections. The Iowa Hawkeyes benefit from a vibrant campus life, with the university sponsoring events and hosting concerts and performances at venues like the Iowa City Englert Theatre.

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Alumni network

The University of Iowa has a robust alumni network, with over 301,000 graduates worldwide. The University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA) helps alumni stay connected, get involved, and give back to the university. UICA offers various resources and opportunities for alumni to engage with their former classmates and the university community.

One of the key ways the University of Iowa maintains its alumni network is through its Iowa Clubs or I-Clubs, which are located worldwide and provide a platform for alumni to connect, network, and socialise with fellow Hawkeyes near them. These clubs are volunteer-led and welcome all alumni, regardless of their background or identity. They offer a great opportunity for graduates to stay connected to the university and maintain their Hawkeye spirit.

The University of Iowa also encourages alumni to stay informed about university events and news through publications such as The Bridge magazine, which is mailed to all alumni twice a year. Alumni are invited to share their career updates, milestones, and other exciting news, which may be featured in the "Class Notes" section of the magazine. This helps recognise their achievements and keeps the alumni community engaged and connected.

In addition to social and networking opportunities, the University of Iowa provides academic resources for its alumni. Alumni have free access to electronic databases provided by Gale-Cengage, including academic journals, magazines, and newspaper articles. This benefit enables graduates to continue learning and stay informed even after they have completed their studies.

The University of Iowa also fosters a culture of giving back among its alumni. The Class Gift campaign provides an opportunity for alumni to show their support and leave a legacy at the university. The university also recognises the generosity of donors who contribute to endowed scholarships and other initiatives, demonstrating the strong connection and support that the alumni network provides to the university and its current students.

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History

The University of Iowa was founded in 1847, just 59 days after Iowa was admitted to the Union. The university was founded as the State University of Iowa, and this remains its legal name, although the Board of Regents approved the use of "The University of Iowa" for everyday usage in October 1964.

The University of Iowa was the first public university in the United States to admit men and women on an equal basis when it opened in 1855. It was also the first university in the nation to award advanced degrees in creative writing, theatre, and music. The Iowa Writers' Workshop, established at the university, has produced 17 of the university's 46 Pulitzer Prize winners.

The University of Iowa was the first state institution of higher learning west of the Mississippi River, and its law and dental schools were the first in the region. The university's medical school was one of the first coeducational medical schools in the nation, and Iowa graduate Mary Hickey Wilkinson was one of the first women in the U.S. to receive a law degree.

The University of Iowa was also a pioneer in the field of speech-language pathology, with Carl E. Seashore's pioneering work in the field. The university's hospitals and clinics were the first university-based teaching hospital west of the Mississippi.

The University of Iowa has a rich athletic history, with its football team, the Hawkeyes, making 11 Final Four appearances in the NCAA tournament. The team was led by coach Forest Evashevski to Iowa's first Rose Bowl game, where they defeated the No. 10 Oregon State Beavers. The university's Kinnick Stadium is named after Nile Kinnick, winner of the 1939 Heisman Trophy. UI physics professor James A. Van Allen discovered belts of radiation surrounding the Earth using data from America's first Earth satellite, Explorer 1, and the university provided cosmic ray instruments for U.S. satellites, helping America enter the space race.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City.

The University of Iowa has 32,000 students.

The University of Iowa has a campus size of 1,880 acres.

The University of Iowa was founded on February 25, 1847.

Notable alumni of the University of Iowa include Jewel Prestage, the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in political science, as well as Tom Brokaw, Mark Mattson, Caitlin Clark, and Ashton Kutcher.

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