The Iowa State Academic Calendar 2025–2026 sets every key term date and deadline you need, from semester start/end dates and winter/winter sessions, to Spring Break, final exam weeks, and official university holidays.
The Fall Semester begins Monday, August 25, 2025, with final exams scheduled December 15–18, and the term concludes Friday, December 19.
A structured Winter Session runs in late December through mid-January, followed by the Spring Semester starting Tuesday, January 20, 2026, including Spring Break: March 16–20, Spring Final Exams: May 11–14, and ending Friday, May 15.
The Summer Semester begins May 19, includes Memorial and Independence Day holidays, and concludes August 8, with grade deadlines following shortly after.
Use the official ISU Registrar calendar to align course registration, tuition deadlines, and exam dates, ensuring seamless planning throughout Iowa State’s academic year.
We’ve gathered the most up-to-date information to help you stay on track, including key dates for the Iowa State spring semester 2025 and the Iowa State University academic calendar for fall 2025.
Whether you’re a new student, a returning Cyclone, or a parent, understanding the official Iowa State academic calendar 2025-2026 is crucial.
You’ll also find details on when classes start, when to register, and when to look for the Iowa State academic calendar 2025-2026 PDF.
Table of Contents
Iowa State Academic Calendar Fall 2025
The following are the important dates and deadlines for the Iowa State Fall Semester of 2025, as outlined in the Iowa State Academic Calendar 2025-2026.
- Iowa State Fall Semester classes start on Monday, August 25, 2025.
- University Holiday, Labor Day will be observed on Monday, September 1, 2025.
- Iowa State Thanksgiving Break 2025 will take place from Monday, November 24, 2025, to Friday, November 28, 2025.
- Thanksgiving will be observed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, and Friday, November 28, 2025.
- Fall Prep Week will be from Monday, December 8, 2025, to Friday, December 12, 2025.
- Fall Final Exam Week will be from Monday, December 15, 2025, to Thursday, December 18, 2025.
- Fall Semester ends on Friday, December 19, 2025.
- Iowa State Winter Break 2026 is from Friday, December 19, 2025, to Monday, January 19, 2026.
- The Iowa State Graduate College Graduation and Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025.
- The Iowa State Undergraduate Graduation and Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
- Final Grades are due on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
- Final Grades will be published to students on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Iowa State Academic Calendar Winter 2026
The following are the important dates and deadlines for the Iowa State Winter Semester of 2026, as outlined in the Iowa State Academic Calendar 2025-2026.
- Winter Session, Week 1 will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025; Tuesday, December 23, 2025; and Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
- University Holiday, Christmas will be observed on Thursday, December 25, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025.
- Winter Session, Week 2 will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025; Tuesday, December 30, 2025; Wednesday, December 31, 2025; and Friday, January 2, 2026.
- University Holiday, New Year’s Day will be observed on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
- Winter Session, Week 3 will be held from Monday, January 5, 2026, to Friday, January 9, 2026.
- Winter Session, Week 4 will be held from Monday, January 12, 2026, to Friday, January 16, 2026.
- Final Exams will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Iowa State Academic Calendar Spring 2026
The following are the important dates and deadlines for the Iowa State Spring Semester of 2026, as outlined in the Iowa State Academic Calendar 2025-2026.
- The last day to cancel registration, with all courses dropped by 11:59 p.m., is Monday, January 19, 2026.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 19, 2026.
- The Iowa State Spring 2026 semester classes begin on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
- The full-semester session runs from January 20 to May 15, 2026.
- The first half-session runs from January 20 to March 13, 2026.
- The last day to add or swap a course without instructor or advisor approval for full-semester and first-half courses is January 26, 2026.
- The last day to change a course from audit to credit for full-semester and first-half courses is January 26, 2026.
- The last day to drop a course without a withdrawal (W) appearing on the permanent record for full-semester and first-half courses is January 26, 2026.
- The last day to elect to audit a course for the spring term, with instructor approval, is Monday, February 2, 2026.
- The last day for graduate students to initiate registration without a late fee is Monday, February 2, 2026.
- The last day to add, withdraw, or adjust a first-half course to Pass/Not Pass grading is February 20, 2026.
- The advising period for Summer and Fall 2026 registration begins on Monday, March 2, 2026, and student registration appointments become viewable in Workday that day.
- Interim grades are due by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026.
- Interim grades become available to view in Workday on Monday, March 9, 2026.
- Iowa State Spring Break 2026 takes place from Monday, March 16, 2026, to Friday, March 20, 2026.
- The second half-session runs from March 23 to May 15, 2026.
- The last day to add or swap a second-half session course without approvals is March 27, 2026.
- The last day to change a second-half course from audit to credit is March 27, 2026.
- The last day to drop a second-half course without a withdrawal (W) is March 27, 2026.
- The last day to add, withdraw, or adjust a full-semester course to Pass/Not Pass grading without extenuating circumstances is April 3, 2026.
- The last day to add, withdraw, or adjust a second-half course to Pass/Not Pass grading is April 24, 2026.
- Spring Prep Week is held from Monday, May 4, 2026, to Friday, May 8, 2026.
- Spring final examinations occur from Monday, May 11, 2026, to Thursday, May 14, 2026.
- The Spring 2026 semester ends on Friday, May 15, 2026.
Use the Iowa State University Registrar’s official Academic Calendar PDF and the college’s Academic Calendar page to download the full Iowa State academic calendar 2025–2026, verify program-specific dates (continuing-education or practicum schedules may differ), and align registration, housing move-in, and payment deadlines.
