Colleges in Iowa

Iowa has 28 colleges with published admissions data — 3 public and 25 private. Acceptance rates range from 15% to 100%, with Grinnell College admitting the smallest share of applicants. The median net price — what students actually pay after grants — is $22,234 a year. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $55,287.

Colleges28
Median net price$22,234
Median in-state tuition$10,787
Median earnings$55,287

The standouts in Iowa

Best value

  1. Grinnell College3.6×
  2. University of Northern Iowa3.5×
  3. Iowa State University3.4×
  4. Coe College3.0×
  5. Mount Mercy University3.0×

Graduate earnings relative to one year's net price.

Highest-earning graduates

  1. Drake University$71,901
  2. University of Iowa$64,762
  3. Iowa State University$63,386
  4. Grinnell College$62,830
  5. Mercy College of Health Sciences$62,234

Median earnings 10 years after entering.

Highest graduation rate

  1. Grinnell College88%
  2. Iowa State University75%
  3. University of Iowa75%
  4. Drake University74%
  5. Luther College71%

Share finishing within six years.

Every college in Iowa

CollegeAcceptanceSAT rangeIn-state tuitionNet priceEarningsGrad rate
Grinnell CollegeGrinnell · Private · 1,729 students15%1410–1540$68,106$17,648$62,83088%
William Penn UniversityOskaloosa · Private · 1,301 students52%880–1110$29,750$22,601$48,93633%
Drake UniversityDes Moines · Private · 2,543 students64%1110–1350$52,130$29,127$71,90174%
Coe CollegeCedar Rapids · Private · 1,164 students64%1070–1290$54,666$18,745$57,12566%
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological SeminaryAnkeny · Private · 405 students68%990–1190$20,270$16,282$40,65068%
Dordt UniversitySioux Center · Private · 1,597 students69%1070–1330$37,050$25,807$52,55970%
Morningside UniversitySioux City · Private · 1,163 students71%—$39,660$31,320$55,49450%
Luther CollegeDecorah · Private · 1,379 students72%1078–1406$52,120$23,097$59,85071%
Clarke UniversityDubuque · Private · 742 students72%900–1160$40,910$24,479$55,39656%
Wartburg CollegeWaverly · Private · 1,452 students76%930–1200$26,250$32,908$56,20164%
Waldorf UniversityForest City · Private · 1,827 students77%—$25,978$19,693$51,16521%
Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport · Private · 1,916 students77%930–1170$36,658$24,691$59,53161%
Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake · Private · 1,366 students78%—$41,798$18,846$49,15662%
Cornell CollegeMount Vernon · Private · 1,086 students80%1120–1285$52,660$23,634$53,46062%
Northwestern CollegeOrange City · Private · 1,175 students80%—$36,710$25,907$49,80266%
Graceland University-LamoniLamoni · Private · 798 students81%—$20,950$18,504$47,36142%
Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids · Private · 1,107 students83%—$40,878$20,168$60,78758%
University of IowaIowa City · Public · 22,264 students84%1130–1330$11,283$22,531$64,76275%
Simpson CollegeIndianola · Private · 1,227 students86%—$47,656$21,936$59,27463%
Central CollegePella · Private · 1,070 students86%1056–1120$20,988$23,377$54,31766%
University of DubuqueDubuque · Private · 1,440 students89%980–1220$42,095$23,386$51,19040%
Iowa State UniversityAmes · Public · 25,367 students89%1120–1360$10,787$18,589$63,38675%
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls · Public · 7,529 students93%1020–1280$9,936$15,901$55,17768%
Maharishi International UniversityFairfield · Private · 922 students96%—$16,530$14,956$27,98150%
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette · Private · 1,994 students97%—$19,475$20,942$52,76634%
Grand View UniversityDes Moines · Private · 1,486 students99%—$34,762$21,774$52,82454%
Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines · Private · 867 students100%—$17,664$26,924$62,23466%
Loras CollegeDubuque · Private · 1,083 students100%—$39,824$20,716$58,28968%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price is the average annual cost after grants for students receiving federal aid. Earnings are median earnings 10 years after entering. A dash means the figure isn’t published for that school.

Common questions

What is the most affordable college in Iowa?

Maharishi International University has the lowest average net price in Iowa at $14,956 a year after grants and scholarships. University of Northern Iowa ($15,901) is next.

Which college in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?

Students who enrolled at Drake University report median earnings of $71,901 ten years after entering.

How many colleges are in Iowa?

Iowa has 28 colleges with published admissions data — 3 public and 25 private. Acceptance rates range from 15% to 100%.

What is in-state tuition at public colleges in Iowa?

The median in-state tuition at public colleges in Iowa is $10,787 a year, before room, board and other costs.

Which of these could you actually get into?

Acceptance rates tell you how selective a school is — not your odds. Get an honest score against the schools you’re considering.

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