With year-round course availability, students full-time students can complete the program in as few as 12–15 months, preparing them for high-impact careers in industry, government, and academia. The program culminates with a capstone project that provides hands-on research experience that matches a student's professional interests.  

Coursework and Timeline for the MS Program 

Iowa residents: $6,500 per semester + fees 

Non-residents: $15,300 per semester + fees 

International students: $16,300 per semester + fees 

*Tuition and fee rates are subject to change 

Cost of attendance includes a general estimate. This is a university page. 

See the estimated student costs for estimated student expenses for a nine-month academic year. 

Undergraduate students currently enrolled at Iowa State University can start taking classes for the MSAE or MSE before getting their bachelor’s degrees. Up to 6 credits used toward an undergraduate degree can also be used for an MS degree. In total, a student can earn up to 9 credits or more for an MS degree before getting the BS degree.

You can consider the MS as a counterpart of a double major. While double majors allow “horizontal” growth in knowledge and skills, our MS degree deepens your knowledge and skills “vertically” and does so in a time-efficient manner.

Undergraduate Timeline

• Fresh - Jr Year - Express interest to an academic advisor
• Jr Spring and Sr Fall - Work with MS Director to plan concurrent enrollment and apply
• Sr Fall and Spring - Begin taking graduate-level courses

Post-Bachelor's Degree Timeline

• First Fall - Take graduate classes and plan for research
• First Spring - Continue classes, begin research, search for jobs, and graduate

Application: To apply, talk to your undergraduate adviser or the M.S. director at hfeng@iastate.edu 

GRE scores are not required. Admissions decisions are holistic and consider a range of indicators regarding applicants’ preparedness and abilities. We find that successful students meet some or all the criteria below. However, applicants are not automatically disqualified if they fall short in some areas, nor are applicants who meet all these criteria guaranteed admission.

• Students who do well typically have a strong background in math (calculus, including multi-variate calculus and linear algebra) and statistics, as well as intermediate microeconomic and macroeconomic theory courses. Math courses that emphasize logic and proofs (e.g., real analysis, abstract algebra, topology) are especially recommended.
• High grades in undergraduate economics courses, including principles of economics, intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, and econometrics are preferred.

Applications can be submitted through the ISU Online Application.

Application timeline: Students can enroll for the spring and fall semesters.  For priority reviews and scholarships, apply before February 15. The application will be reviewed on a continuous rolling basis. 

Note: International students who currently reside outside the U.S. are encouraged to apply at least three months prior to the start of the semester if seeking the on-campus option. 

Application requirements

• Resume.
• College transcripts.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Statement of purpose.
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Score for non-native English-speaking applicants.
• GMAT/GRE: Not required 

Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed. You may be contacted to schedule an interview as part of the admissions process.

International students who currently reside outside the U.S. are encouraged to: 

• Apply at least three months prior to the start of the semester if seeking the on-campus option using the ISU Online application .
• Prepare TOEFL OR IELTS or some other approved English test scores.
  • GMAT/GRE results are not required.
• Prepare the required application documents:
  • Resume
  • Transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose

International students whose primary language is not English may be required to take English classes. ISU provides an additional opportunity to satisfy the ISU English requirement using the institutional English Placement Test during their first semester of enrollment. 

The following links provide more information for international students: 

International Students and Scholars Office

Admissions information for international students 

English requirements