AP Credit
Iowa State AP Credit
Iowa State awards credit on 12 of the 12 common AP exams listed here. A 3 is enough on 4, and the other 8 need a higher score.
Lowest score accepted
3
Limit on AP credit
No more than 32 credits from credit by exam
Chart applies to
University-wide
What each AP exam earns at Iowa State
Twelve common exams. An exam is left out when Iowa State’s page does not name it.
| AP exam | Lowest score | What it earns | With a 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 4 | 4 credits, Math 1650 | Same |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 4 credits, Math 1650 | 8 credits, Math 1650, 1660 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 credits, English 1500 | Same |
| English Literature and Composition | 4 | 3 credits, English 1000 or 1500 | Same |
| United States History | 4 | 6 credits, History 2210, 2220 | Same |
| Biology | 4 | 4 credits, Biology 1000 | Same |
| Chemistry | 4 | 7 credits, Chemistry 1770, 1780 | Same |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | 5 credits, Physics 2310, 2310L | Same |
| Computer Science A | 4 | 4 credits, Computer Science 1270 | 8 credits, Computer Science 1270 and 2270 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4 credits, Statistics 1010 | 4 credits, Statistics 2010 |
| Psychology | 4 | 3 credits, Psychology 1010 | Same |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 8 credits, Spanish 1010, 1020 | 16 credits, Spanish 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020 |
“The Advanced Placement Program allows the College Board to offer national examinations for you to qualify for advanced placement or academic credit at Iowa State.”
Frequently asked questions
Does Iowa State accept AP credit?
Iowa State awards credit on 12 of the 12 common AP exams listed here. A 3 is enough on 4, and the other 8 need a higher score.
What AP score do you need at Iowa State?
The lowest score that earns anything on the non-language exams listed here is a 3. The score needed differs by exam, so check the row for each one.
Is there a limit on AP credit at Iowa State?
Yes. Iowa State states this limit: No more than 32 credits from credit by exam.
Read from Iowa State’s own page and last checked 2026-10-08. Colleges change these charts, and rules can differ by school within a university, so confirm with the official page before you plan around it.
