The University of Iowa again welcomes the most academically accomplished class in its history.
This fall’s incoming undergraduate class at the University of Iowa has yet again topped previous records in achievement with a higher average high school GPA, at 3.76, than any previous class. The average high school GPA for the incoming classes of 2018 and 2017 were 3.71 and 3.69, respectively.
“I’m delighted to welcome these new students, who bring so many different backgrounds and experiences and so many unique talents to our campus,” says Montserrat Fuentes, UI executive vice president and provost. “Coming to the UI is going to be life-changing for these students. They are going to have amazing opportunities here, and we are committed to making sure they have the resources and support they need to achieve their goals. They will be challenged academically, develop new skills, discover new passions, and forge lifelong friendships. I am so excited to see where their journey will take them.”
The 2019 incoming class is composed of 4,986 students, about 180 more students than last year, and comes after efforts by university administration to manage enrollment growth.
About 22% of the class (1,092) are first-generation students.
“It’s wonderful to again see that one-fifth of our incoming class are first-generation students,” says Melissa Shivers, vice president for student life. “I know from my own experience that it’s not always easy to be the first member of a family to attend college, but I am committed to supporting those students so that they can thrive. We are proud to offer programs like Iowa Edge, which helps guide first-generation students during what can be an overwhelming orientation. We will continue to work hard to create a welcoming place that all our students can call home.”
About 56% of the class, or 2,776, are Iowa residents, and about 2% (120) are international students. The class represents 94 of Iowa’s 99 counties, 42 U.S. states (as well as Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and bases for the U.S. Armed Forces), and 38 countries (including the U.S.).
About 20% (987) identify as African American, American Indian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Asian, Latino(a), or two or more ethnicities.
On Iowa! scenes
The beginning of the fall semester is an exciting time, particularly for the newest Hawkeyes. In the days before the start of classes, new students came together during On Iowa! to bond with one another and learn about the Iowa experience.
This year, 23,482 undergraduates are enrolled at the UI. Total enrollment this fall is 31,240 students. About 47% of the UI’s students identify as male, about 53% as female. Graduate students total 5,900, and professional students total 1,858.
This information represents a snapshot of enrollment from early in the fall 2019 semester and may change with time.
4,986
undergraduates in the 2019 incoming class
1,849
new graduate and professional students
2,776
are Iowa residents
3.76
average high school GPA
22 %
identify as first-generation students
20 %
identify as a member of a minority group
94
Iowa counties represented
42
U.S. states and territories represented
38
countries represented, including the U.S.