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    Iowa State University

    Physics

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Ames, USMSIn-person2 years
    STEM-OPT
    $66,891.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    15
    Cohort
    students
    30
    Credits

    Physics at Iowa State University is a 30-credit, 2-year, in-person MS program based in Ames, US. Tuition is $66,891 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

    About the program

    Graduate program covering astrophysics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics, and nuclear physics with advanced laboratory experiments, computational modeling, and research collaborations.

    Focus: research
    QS World University Rankings by Subject (Physics and Astronomy): 301-350 | US News #55 (tie)

    Your fit

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    Admissions

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    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

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    Deadlines

    Fall 2027
    Jan 15, 2027

    Standardized tests

    GRE
    optional
    Min GRE General and Subject Tests are optional; no minimum score
    TOEFL
    required
    Min TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79 (for exams taken before January 21, 2026; 4.5 (for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026)
    IELTS
    required
    Min 6.5

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT (US)

    $18,048.00
    Annual living cost

    Application Checklist

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    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Physics at Iowa State University cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Physics at Iowa State University is $66,891 across 30 required credits.
    Is Physics at Iowa State University online or in-person?
    Physics at Iowa State University is offered in-person.
    How long does Physics at Iowa State University take to complete?
    Physics at Iowa State University is structured around 2 years and 30 credits.
    What GPA is required for Physics at Iowa State University?
    Per the program's published guidance: Minimum 3.0 GPA
    Is Physics at Iowa State University STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Physics at Iowa State University is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.