The University of Iowa College Portrait

The University of Iowa is a major national research university with a broad-based liberal arts foundation. Established in 1847 as Iowa’s first public institution of higher education, it has won international recognition for its wealth of achievements in the arts, sciences, and humanities. The UI campus is in the heart of Iowa City, a vibrant small city, called one of the best places to live in the country by Outside magazine and one of three cities in the world designated a City of Literature by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 list of American’s Best Colleges ranked The University of Iowa as the 29th best public national university. The University of Iowa is composed of 11 colleges offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional education in more than 100 areas of study.

The University of Iowa offers opportunities in more than 100 diverse areas of study. But an Iowa education is much more than what you learn in the classroom. Iowa students are active on campus and off—as volunteers, entrepreneurs, explorers, and leaders. You can make connections in living-learning communities, find your niche among nearly 500 student groups, explore the world through a study abroad program, conduct cutting-edge research with a faculty member, or put your knowledge into practice through an internship or co-op. Iowa offers endless opportunities to develop leadership skills, get practical experience, meet people from many different backgrounds, and be involved in making the world a better place.