Because over 370 graduate students are conducting groundbreaking biomedical research while enjoying a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive environment. Eleven University of Iowa graduate programs and colleges are among the best in the nation (U.S. News & World Report).

Because students selecting a thesis advisor benefit from the expertise of over 300 full-time faculty from 13 different departments and programs in the Carver College of Medicine, College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy, College of Dentistry, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Graduate College.

This broad selection of potential research laboratories allows individual students to choose the most appropriate thesis laboratory for their own interests and skills.

A Tradition of Equal Opportunity for All

Multi-cultural inclusion is a critical part of UI’s research, education and clinical care goals. A diverse student body, faculty, staff and patient population help provide a richer education for all students and a more well-rounded research enterprise. The Office of Health Parity works closely with administrative offices and community partners to foster an environment where all members of the UI Health Care community feel welcome.

University of Iowa Firsts

• First public university in Iowa, founded in 1847
• First U.S. public university to admit women and men on an equal basis when doors opened in 1855
• First university to accept creative work in the arts in lieu of a written thesis
• First public university in the country to grant a law degree to a woman (Mary B. Hickey Wilkinson, 1873) and to an African American (G. Alexander Clark, 1870)
• First U.S. public university to play an African American on a varsity athletic squad (Frank Kinney Holbrook, 1895)
• Home to the first daily campus newspaper west of the Mississippi (1901) and the first female college newspaper editor (1907)
• First university to devote a program to rehabilitating children with disabilities
• First tax-supported college to establish a school of religion
• First American university to broadcast television, and a pioneer in developing educational TV (1933)
• First Big Ten institution to appoint an African American to an administrative vice president post (Philip Hubbard, 1966)
• First state university to officially recognize a gay student organization (1970), offer insurance to employees’ domestic partners (1993), and include optional questions about sexual orientation and gender identity on admission applications

Where We Are

Embedded in the dynamic Iowa City metro area, Iowa is world renowned for its balanced commitment to the arts, sciences, and humanities. It's home to one of the nation's largest academic medical centers and the pioneering Iowa Writers' Workshop.

Much more than just a Midwest college town, Iowa City boasts big city culture within affordable living and a low stress setting. Among highlights from the past year were a national production of “To Kill A Mockingbird” and a visit from best-selling author John Irving who attended the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in the 1970s. 

Iowa City is consistently recognized as one of the best places in the country to live, learn, work, start a business, raise a family and retire.

• Iowa City ranked No. 1 as the best college town in the U.S. (Reviews.org, 2019)
• Iowa City ranked No. 3 in Outside magazine’s 16 Best Places to Live in the U.S.
• Iowa City ranked No. 4 Best places to live in the U.S. (livability.com, 2019)
• Iowa City named one of America’s Best Adventure Towns (National Geographic)
• Iowa has the Nation’s Highest Literacy Rate at 99% (Iowa Official Register)