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Iowa State University, Ames

4.7
#2 of 11 in Things to do in Ames
Educational Site · Tourist Spot
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Iowa State University of Science and Technology (Iowa State University, Iowa State, or ISU) is a public land-grant research university in Ames, Iowa. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, Iowa State became one of the nation's first designated land-grant institution when the Iowa Legislature accepted the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act on September 11, 1862, making Iowa the first state in the nation to do so. On July 4, 1959, the college was officially renamed Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Iowa State is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The university is home to the Ames Laboratory, one of ten national U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science research laboratories, the Biorenewables Research Laboratory, the Plant Sciences Institute, and various other research institutes.

Iowa State is the second-largest university in the State of Iowa by undergraduate enrollment. The university's academic offerings are administered through eight colleges, including the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Engineering, the Graduate College, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the College of Design, Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, and the College of Human Sciences. They offer over 100 bachelor's degree programs, 112 master's degree programs, and 83 doctoral degree programs, plus a professional degree program in Veterinary Medicine.
Iowa State University's athletic teams, the Cyclones, compete in Division I of the NCAA and are a founding member of the Big 12. The Cyclones field 16 varsity teams and have won numerous NCAA national championships.
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Iowa State University reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
336 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • We we’re at the Iowa campus for Odyssey of the Mind World Competition. The campus was beautiful and the employees were great. What a beautiful asset to the state of Iowa. 
    We we’re at the Iowa campus for Odyssey of the Mind World Competition. The campus was beautiful and the employees were great. What a beautiful asset to the state of Iowa.  more »
  • Spent the day at an ISU wrestling match. Great arena and great seats. Presentation was really good as well. Easy to get to and to park. 
    Spent the day at an ISU wrestling match. Great arena and great seats. Presentation was really good as well. Easy to get to and to park.  more »
Google
  • Every fall, I am reminded as to why Iowa State University is ranked as one of the most beautiful campus in the country. All the fall foliage makes me want to keep snapping photos like an incoming freshman visiting the campus for the first time. Some of the best locations for looking at fall colors are: 1) around the campanile, 2) central campus (near Pearson Hall), and 3) along Osborn Dr. If you want to avoid getting judged by others for taking pictures, there are plenty of photo opportunities at Reiman Gardens. However, be sure to take those photos quickly as peak fall colors only lasts for about a week.
  • To all high school seniors looking at colleges, tour Iowa State! Iowa State was pretty low on my college list but I decided to tour it anyway. Coming from Wisconsin, my first thoughts were it was a college in the middle of no where with an easy acceptance rate...sketchy. But the moment I stepped foot on campus for my college visit I knew it was the place for me. It's a division one school but the beautiful campus and friendly staff made it feel small. Iowa State was the only college I applied to and I am more than happy with that decision. The professors and advisors truly care for every student and want you to succeed. For the university being in a such a small town, there is so much to do at ISU. From intramural sports, clubs, going to sporting events, joining greek life, exploring Ames, there is so much to do. Go cyclones.

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