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About Iowa State University

Iowa State University’s Department of Community and Regional Planning offers a Bachelor of Science (BSCRP) degree and a Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) degree. Both degrees are accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. The roots of planning at Iowa State University are strong and deep. The first course in regional planning was offered in 1934. The Master of Science degree in Town and Regional Planning was created in 1947, with the bachelor’s degree established 20 years later. Located in a public land-grant institution, both planning programs provide hands-on learning opportunities and engagement with communities, alongside classroom instruction.

Points of Distinction

The Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) program is a STEM-designated program, offering students a unique opportunity to explore the field of planning. We have a 90% job placement rate upon graduation. In addition, we offer several double degree programs with architecture (MCRP/MARCH), business (MCRP/MBA), landscape architecture (MCRP/MLA), and sustainable agriculture (MCRP/MS). We also offer an online master’s degree in Community Development and a 13-credit graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The Department is also affiliated with the Master of Real Estate Development program and the graduate certificate in Preservation and Cultural Heritage.

Degrees & Programs

Master's Degree
Degree Name Master of Community and Regional Planning
Degree accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board: Yes
Minimum GPA 3.0
Minimum GRE not required
Minimum TOEFL 550 PBT; 79 iBT
Minimum IELTS 6.5
In-state tuition per year $13,340
Out-of-state tuition per year $31,478
Students in program 26
Full-time equivalent student:faculty ratio 4.33
Bachelor's Degree
Degree Name BS in Community and Regional Planning
Degree accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board: Yes
Minimum GPA For admission ISU uses Regent Admission Index (RAI) which uses a student's GPA in combination with ACT and SAT scores.
In-state tuition per year $11,092
Out-of-state tuition per year $30,140
Application deadline Rolling
Financial aid and scholarship deadline Rolling
Students in program 83
Full-time equivalent student:faculty ratio 12.3
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Department of Urban Planning and Development

College of Design
Ames Iowa

Address

146 College of Design
Ames, Iowa 50011-3090

Department Email

bradbury@iastate.edu

Department Phone

(515) 294-8720
Visit Department Website
Last Updated: October 9, 2025

Faculty Members

Carlton Basmajian

Associate Professor
Iowa State University
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Susan Bradbury

Interim Chair and Professor
Iowa State University
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Biswa Das

Associate Professor
Iowa State University
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Jiwnath Ghimire

Assistant Professor
Iowa State University
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Ted Grevstad-Nordbrock

Associate Professor
Iowa State University
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Monica Haddad

Professor
Iowa State University
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Francis Owusu

Professor
Iowa State University
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Alenka Poplin

Associate Professor
Iowa State University
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Jane Rongerude

Associate Professor
Iowa State University
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Gary Taylor

Professor
Iowa State University
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Robert Pfaff

Assistant Professor
Iowa State University
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Yiwen Wu

Assistant Teaching Professor
Iowa State University
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