Estimated Tuition, Living Expenses, and Other Fees

International Student Fee

All enrolled students on a University of Iowa I-20 or DS-2019 are assessed the International Student Fee every semester in which they are registered. In fall 2026 the fee will be $225 each fall and spring semester, and $112.50 for enrollment during any summer session. Currently the fee appears on the second U-Bill of each semester. The amount of the fee is included in the estimated expenses listed on a student's I-20 or DS-2019.

The fee has been in place since 2000-01, and is used exclusively by International Student and Scholar Services to cover the cost of staffing, fees, and licenses required to provide immigration services and support for those on an international student visa. It is also used to provide ISSS programs and workshops to promote intercultural learning, adjustment, and internationalization for students, staff, and faculty. ISSS sees around 9,000 drop-in visits/year, and processes several thousand e-forms within the same period.

Student fee money is not used to support activities for J-1 scholars. A separate fee exists for those coming to the university in a J-1 scholar category for teaching, research, or observation (i.e. non-student) purposes.

For a current list of fees, see the Admissions Estimated Costs for International Students page.

International Student Orientation Fee

All new international undergraduate students studying in F-1 or J-1 status are assessed a $220 orientation fee by International Student and Scholar Services. The fee will appear on the second U-Bill after starting studies at the University of Iowa.

All new international graduate and professional students studying in F-1 or J-1 status are assessed a matriculation fee of $325. The fee will appear on the second U-Bill after starting studies at the University of Iowa.
 

F-2 and J-2 Dependents

Dependents require adding additional expenses to the amount listed above. These include additional living expenses ($5,000/spouse and $2,500/each child) + increased rates of health insurance. These amounts reflect the costs during a 12-month period.