Overview

The Industrial Design programme at Iowa State University provides a comprehensive foundation for students aiming to enter the professional world of product and service design. As the only offering of its kind in the state, the curriculum is designed to facilitate immediate entry into design practice while supporting long-term career achievement. Students benefit from a unique learning environment where they are provided with personal studio spaces and access to advanced fabrication facilities.

Why Industrial Design at Iowa State University?

This nationally-ranked programme stands out for its integration of business and engineering influences, creating one of the most well-rounded educational experiences in the country. Students operate out of the Armory, a dedicated space that houses specialised studios and fabrication tools. The curriculum is highly customisable, allowing individuals to select specific emphasis areas through guided electives to suit their research interests and professional goals.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 16325 per semester
National fee: USD 15322 per semester
Local fee: USD 5751 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The degree structure begins with a foundational Core Design Program that introduces students to various design disciplines. Following this, the professional phase focuses on advanced technical skills and practical application. Students are required to complete at least two significant experiential components, such as international study, professional internships, or sponsored projects with established companies. Modules may include:

Industrial Design Studio
Digital Sculpting
Model Making
Product Design
Service Solutions
Professional Practice
Portfolio Development
Interdisciplinary Studios

Careers with Industrial Design

Graduates are prepared for a wide array of roles within the global design market. The College of Design supports students through a dedicated Career Services Office and an annual Design Career Fair that attracts over 125 firms. Many alumni find success in specialised sectors, including automotive, footwear, and furniture design. Potential career paths for graduates include:

Product Developer
Automotive Designer
Footwear & Accessory Designer
Construction & Agricultural Equipment Designer
Furniture & Lighting Designer
Interaction Designer
Exhibit Designer
Packaging Designer
Advertising & Experience Designer

Programme Structure

Courses include:

History of Industrial Design

Concept Sketching

Creative Thinking in Design

Technology: How Things Work

Industrial Design Studio VI: Designing for Social Impact

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-01 00:00:00 , International

More details

Iowa State operates on rolling admission. We strongly recommend that you apply at least six to eight weeks in advance.

Language

English

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Credits

133 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Ames, United States

Disciplines

Industrial Design View 89 other Bachelors in Industrial Design in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

ACT composite (or converted SAT) score x 3

Cumulative GPA x 30

Number of years of high school core courses x 5

RAI (Regent Admission Index)

SAT scores will be converted to their ACT composite equivalents for this calculation.

High school GPA is expressed on a 4-point scale (you can use our GPA calculator to convert your GPA if it's not on a 4.0 scale).

The number of core high school courses is measured in years or fractions of years.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

32650 USD / year

≈ 32650 USD / year
Out-of-State

30644 USD / year

≈ 30644 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

11502 USD / year

≈ 11502 USD / year

Living costs

Ames

United States

1158 - 1797 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Industrial Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Ames

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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