UI first-year class sets records

The University of Iowa welcomes an academically accomplished first-year class of 4,666 students this fall, of which a record 19 percent identified as minorities. Photo by Tim Schoon.

The University of Iowa welcomes an extremely academically accomplished first-year undergraduate class, as well its most diverse, for the 2014-15 academic year.

The class of 2018 is also the UI’s largest first-year class with 4,666 total students, compared to 4,460 in 2013. The previous high was 4,565 in fall 2011.

For a closer look at the Class of 2018:

Among the record-setting academic achievements of the first-year class includes having 523 Old Gold Scholarship recipients, compared to 398 in 2013. Old Gold Scholars must have a 30 ACT, (or combined SAT critical reading and math score of 1330), as well as a 3.80 GPA on a 4.00 scale. The first-year class also has the highest ever average high school GPA of 3.63, compared with 3.62 in 2013.

“We’re very pleased with the make-up of our incoming class,” says University of Iowa President Sally Mason. “This is a fantastic class, and I couldn’t be more proud that these first-year students have chosen to be Hawkeyes. I have no doubt the Class of 2018 will enrich the smart, talented, and successful student body at the University of Iowa.”

Among first-year students, 47 percent (or 2,197) are Iowa residents, 41 percent (1,897) residents of other U.S. states, and 12 percent (572) international students. Students represent 96 of 99 Iowa counties; 43 states, as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico; and 25 countries, including the U.S.

“We continue to recruit students who we expect will thrive here at the UI,” says Lon Moeller, UI associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of University College. “We remain committed to providing support and opportunities for students to succeed and graduate.”

The incoming class is the university’s most diverse ever, with 19 percent—886 students— identifying as African-American, American Indian, native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Asian, Latino, or two or more races. The percentage of minority students grew from 17 percent last year and is up from 12.6 percent in 2010.

This year, 22,354 undergraduates are enrolled at the UI, compared to 21,973 in 2013. Total UI enrollment this fall is 31,387 students, compared to 31,065 in 2013. 51 percent are female and 49 percent are male.

Graduate students total 5,804 (versus 5,939 in 2013), and professional students 1,812 (versus 1,835 in 2013).