It's a snap to get started
Decide when you want to start classes. Apply by the deadline. That’s it.
With three start times a year, the Iowa MBA Program offers virtually year-round admission. Admission decisions are based on your work experience, academic performance, test scores (if you choose to provide them), and essay.
Application dates and deadlines
For strongest consideration and to qualify for scholarship opportunities, submit your application by the priority deadline. Applications completed after this date will be considered as capacity allows.
Spring
Classes start: Late January
Priority deadline: October 15
Final deadline: January 1
Applications open August 15
Summer
Classes start: May
Priority deadline: February 15
Final deadline: May 1
Applications open January 1
Fall
Classes start: August
Priority deadline: April 15
Final deadline: August 1
Applications open March 1
Application guidelines
Iowa MBA candidates typically meet the following guidelines:
- An earned bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college/university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- At least 18 months of post-undergraduate professional work experience.
However, the program recognizes and values the rich variety of academic and professional trajectories. As such, we strongly encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds. Applicants can submit supporting documents as part of the application process to provide additional details regarding their ability to be successful in the program.
A test score (GMAT or GRE) is not required for admission nor at any point during the program, but can strengthen your application for admission and scholarship eligibility. Review the admission criteria to learn about the kind of student we’re looking for.
These are the minimum requirements to be considered for admission. Check out the average profile for an Iowa MBA student.
There's another way to get in: MBA Access
As an undergrad, a lot of things can get in the way of a high GPA, and we get that.
If your undergrad GPA falls below a 3.0, or you are just starting out your professional career, the MBA Access admission option allows you to start taking MBA courses right away—without adding time or extra cost to your MBA.
Admission criteria
Your academics, test scores (if you provide them), work experience, and personal statement of purpose—that's where we’ll focus our attention when we review your application for admission. No letters of recommendation are needed for your Iowa MBA application.
Academics
An MBA requires working with numbers. Quantitative skills—i.e., math and stats—are key. We’ll look at your transcripts to see results of the quant courses you’ve taken.
Statement of purpose
Take this opportunity to standout in the application process and give us a sense of who you are and why you're interested in this program. Your essay will be evaluated as an key element in the admissions decision and should include more information about your academic and professional goals. Your statement of purpose may be submitted as a written statement (250-500 words) or a recorded video (1 minute and 25 seconds or 6MB). For written statements, you can copy/paste or upload a PDF, DOC, or DOCX file when you submit your application. Directions on how to submit a recorded video are located in the application.
Entrance exam (optional)
GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission, nor at any point in the program.
However, GMAT and GRE scores are proven indicators of a candidate's ability to excel in the classroom, and can strengthen your application significantly. Scholarships for Iowa MBA students are available and awarded based on academic measures including GPA and GMAT/GRE scores.
Work experience
The minimum to be considered for admission is 18 months of post-undergrad professional, full-time work experience. We’re looking for work records that demonstrate increasing responsibility and/or promotions.
How we define professional work experience:
Time spent working in a business environment with significant individual responsibilities, including some decision-making authority and personal accountability for the results of those decisions, post-undergrad.
Professional backgrounds can vary, and we're looking for your work experience to demonstrate skills in independent problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, time management, and management of people or teams. If you're a non-traditional student, we may be able to consider work experience gained before your bachelor’s.
Ready to apply? Get more specifics from the application checklist.
Online learners
Technology requirements
For online courses, you'll need regular access to a computer with a reliable internet connection, a headset, and a webcam.
Explore our suggested computer configurations for new and previously purchased computers (click "Technical Requirements/Download Page") to see how they compare to our recommended requirements.
Location limitations
Limitations under the State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories in the United States which establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The University of Iowa is a member of SARA and is authorized to offer online courses and programs to residents of member states, districts and territories of the United States.
Two U.S. territories—Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands— are not SARA-approved at this time, so the University of Iowa cannot admit students who reside in these regions.
Other location limitations
Due to firewalls or government restrictions blocking our Learning Management System (LMS), we are also unable to admit students who will be studying in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or the region of Crimea.
Calculate your cost
Find out more about tuition costs, fees, scholarships, and funding opportunities.