About CALS

Iowa State ranks among the best in the world for agricultural programs

Curtiss Steps

About the College

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is one of the world’s leading institutions of agriculture, with more than 160 years of leadership in science, education and extension. The college educates future leaders, conducts mission-oriented research and shares new knowledge for the betterment of Iowa and the world. The college is one of eight colleges at Iowa State University, which is one of the most influential land grant universities in the nation.

"In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, or CALS, you’ll engage your purpose and passion to understand the world around you, make it more productive and improve the condition of people, communities, economies and landscapes wherever they are."

Daniel J. Robison
Endowed Dean’s Chair

The Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station is the research division of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that helps Iowa remain a world leader in food production and address societal issues linked to agriculture: economic development, life sciences, the environment, public policy, families and communities. The college is a leader in moving into a new era of discovery about living organisms and life processes. Responding quickly to emerging needs, providing leadership to solve critical challenges and partnering to achieve goals are trademarks of the college.

Over the last five years, Experiment Station scientists have leveraged capacity funding to successfully secure approximately $61 million in external funding annually, expanding significantly the scope of research conducted and enabling faculty and staff researchers to be both strategic and responsive to emergent issues affecting Iowa, the nation and the world.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers 27 undergraduate majors and 35 graduate programs in addition to hands-on opportunities for students to hone skills in leadership, communications and cultural competency, within and across disciplines. 

Extension to Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) serves Iowans daily, delivering science-based information and education vital to farmers, businesses, communities and consumers. ANR also listens to understand needs, emerging issues and help plan for the future. ANR is the largest unit in ISU Extension and Outreach, involving 92 faculty and staff in seven departments and 41 field specialists across Iowa. The ANR Extension network of campus-based state specialists and field specialists include: agricultural engineering, commercial horticulture, farm management, field agronomists, beef specialists, swine specialists and dairy specialists.

  • $4 mil.
    in scholarships are offered to students annually.
  • 98%
    of graduates reported they were working, continuing their education or serving in the military within six months of graduating.
  • 4%
    Our program ranks top 4% worldwide among other agriculture and forestry institutions.