ROTC at Iowa State University
Ames, IA · public
Yes — Iowa State University hosts Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC on campus.
ROTC programs hosted on campus
Iowa State University hosts 3 ROTC programs on its own campus. Open a program to see its full profile, scholarships, and partner schools.
Army ROTCHostedVerifiedCyclone Battalion runs Army ROTC at Iowa State University for cadets across Iowa.
Scholarships: AROTC Minuteman (Reserve/Guard), AROTC Green-to-Gold, AROTC 3-Year Advanced +1 more
Also serves 3 cross-town schools.
View full Army
Air Force/Space Force ROTCHostedVerifiedAFROTC in Ames, IA runs out of Iowa State University as the Detachment 250 Iowa State University.
Scholarships: AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), AFROTC In-College Scholarship Program, AFROTC HSSP Type 4 ($36k cap) +1 more
Also serves 3 cross-town schools.
View full Air Force
Navy/Marine ROTCHostedVerifiedNROTC at Iowa State University contracts midshipmen on national scholarships into the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
Scholarships: NROTC Navy Option 4-Year Scholarship, NROTC Marine Option 4-Year Scholarship
View full NavyCross-town & partner options
Iowa State University students commission through the on-campus program above.
ROTC outcomes
Students at Iowa State University in ROTC, from any branch and any unit. Averages per academic year, AY2011–AY2021.
- About 44 officers commissioned per year, all services
- About 112 students start ROTC here each year
Officers commissioned, by group
- Women14%
- Men86%
- White90%
Groups under 5 people a year are not shown.
Students starting ROTC, by group
- Women16%
- Men84%
- White83%
- Hispanic6%
Groups under 5 people a year are not shown.
Source: GAO, GAO-23-105857 (campus data, AY2011–AY2021). GAO counted cadets and commissions by the school the student attended. Numbers for recent years can differ.
Admissions
| Admission rate | 89% |
|---|---|
| SAT range (25th–75th) | 1,120–1,360 |
| ACT range (25th–75th) | 21–28 |
| Test policy | Test-optional |
These are the most recent College Scorecard figures. The school decides admission. An ROTC scholarship board judges your academics on its own, in a separate process.
Cost & financial aid (with ROTC)
| In-state tuition | $10,787 |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,881 |
| Average net price | $18,589 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 75% |
Tuition and net price: College Scorecard. You can usually combine an ROTC scholarship with other aid from Iowa State University. Ask the unit and the financial aid office to confirm how the aid combines.
Academic programs
Iowa State University has 25,367 undergraduates. ROTC cadets can study almost any major. Some scholarships and commissioning options prefer certain fields.
Yellow Ribbon & veteran support
Yellow Ribbon is a GI Bill benefit for veterans and eligible dependents, not an ROTC scholarship. The school pays part of the tuition above the GI Bill cap, and VA matches it.
Yellow Ribbon: Iowa State University takes part.
| Level | Program | School pays (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | All programs | Up to $2,500 |
| Graduate | All programs | Up to $2,500 |
| Graduate | Veterinary Medicine - Professional | Up to $2,500 |
Source: VA GI Bill Comparison Tool, checked Oct 14, 2026. Confirm amounts with the school's veterans office before you enroll.
ROTC at Iowa State University: FAQ
Does Iowa State University have ROTC?
Yes — Iowa State University hosts Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC on campus.
Which ROTC branches can Iowa State University students join?
Army ROTC (on campus, Cyclone Battalion), Navy ROTC (on campus, NROTC Iowa State University) and Air Force ROTC (on campus, Detachment 250 Iowa State University).
Is ROTC at Iowa State University on campus or cross-town?
Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC are on campus: the unit is based at Iowa State University.
Can I use an ROTC scholarship at Iowa State University?
Yes. The on-campus Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC units list 10 scholarship types, including AROTC Minuteman (Reserve/Guard) and AROTC Green-to-Gold.
School links and location
These links belong to Iowa State University. To ask about an ROTC program, open that program above and use the unit's own contact details. ROTCScholar is not the school and not the unit.
- Official site
iastate.edu
- Admissions
iastate.edu
- Apply
apps.admissions.iastate.edu
- Financial aid
financialaid.iastate.edu
- Net price calculator
Estimate your cost before ROTC money is applied
- Veteran & military services
Campus office for GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, and military students
Location: Ames, IA 50011-2103
IPEDS UNITID: 153603
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ROTCScholar is an independent directory. We are not an ROTC unit, and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military. Check details with the unit before you act on them.