Best Colleges in Iowa
The top colleges in Iowa by graduate outcomes, plus all 74 schools compared on cost, admissions, and earnings.
Best Colleges in Iowa, Ranked
The top 8 four-year colleges in Iowa by graduation rate and 10-year graduate earnings, from federal College Scorecard data. A data-backed shortlist to start from, not a substitute for finding the right fit.
- 1Grinnell CollegeGrinnell · Private nonprofit88%Grad$17,648Net Price$61,000Earnings
- 2Drake UniversityDes Moines · Private nonprofit74%Grad$29,127Net Price$68,700Earnings
- 3University of IowaIowa City · Public75%Grad$22,531Net Price$62,000Earnings
- 4Iowa State UniversityAmes · Public75%Grad$18,589Net Price$56,000Earnings
- 5Luther CollegeDecorah · Private nonprofit71%Grad$23,097Net Price$53,200Earnings
- 6Loras CollegeDubuque · Private nonprofit68%Grad$20,716Net Price$50,200Earnings
- 7University of Northern IowaCedar Falls · Public68%Grad$15,901Net Price$49,700Earnings
- 8Coe CollegeCedar Rapids · Private nonprofit66%Grad$18,745Net Price$50,000Earnings
Public Universities(19)
Iowa State University
Ames · Public
University of Iowa
Iowa City · Public
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny · Public
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids · Public
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls · Public
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport · Public
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge · Public
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs · Public
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City · Public
Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo · Public
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington · Public
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar · Public
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa · Public
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City · Public
Iowa Lakes Community College
Estherville · Public
Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon · Public
Marshalltown Community College
Marshalltown · Public
Southwestern Community College
Creston · Public
Ellsworth Community College
Iowa Falls · Public
Private Colleges & Universities(49)
Drake University
Des Moines · Private nonprofit
Upper Iowa University
Fayette · Private nonprofit
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport · Private nonprofit
Waldorf University
Forest City · Private for-profit
Grinnell College
Grinnell · Private nonprofit
Dordt University
Sioux Center · Private nonprofit
Grand View University
Des Moines · Private nonprofit
Wartburg College
Waverly · Private nonprofit
University of Dubuque
Dubuque · Private nonprofit
Luther College
Decorah · Private nonprofit
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake · Private nonprofit
William Penn University
Oskaloosa · Private nonprofit
Simpson College
Indianola · Private nonprofit
Northwestern College
Orange City · Private nonprofit
Coe College
Cedar Rapids · Private nonprofit
Morningside University
Sioux City · Private nonprofit
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids · Private nonprofit
Cornell College
Mount Vernon · Private nonprofit
Loras College
Dubuque · Private nonprofit
Central College
Pella · Private nonprofit
Maharishi International University
Fairfield · Private nonprofit
Graceland University-Lamoni
Lamoni · Private nonprofit
Clarke University
Dubuque · Private nonprofit
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City · Private nonprofit
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
Ankeny · Private nonprofit
Aveda Institute-Des Moines
West Des Moines · Private for-profit
Emmaus Bible College
Dubuque · Private nonprofit
PCI Academy-Ames
Ames · Private for-profit
Capri College-Dubuque
Dubuque · Private for-profit
La James International College-Johnston
Johnston · Private for-profit
Capri College-Davenport
Davenport · Private for-profit
Capri College-Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids · Private for-profit
La James International College-Davenport
Davenport · Private for-profit
PCI Academy-Iowa City
Iowa City · Private for-profit
Salon Professional Academy-Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls · Private for-profit
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines
Des Moines · Private for-profit
Iowa School of Beauty-Sioux City
Sioux City · Private for-profit
SOHO Hair Academy
Council Bluffs · Private for-profit
Divine Word College
Epworth · Private nonprofit
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology
Mason City · Private for-profit
La James International College-Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls · Private for-profit
Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School
Urbandale · Private for-profit
Ross College-Davenport
Davenport · Private for-profit
Carlson College of Massage Therapy
Anamosa · Private for-profit
American Hair Academy
Mt. Pleasant · Private for-profit
Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake · Private for-profit
La James International College-Ft Dodge
Fort Dodge · Private for-profit
Mercy-St Luke's School of Radiologic Technology
Cedar Rapids · Private nonprofit
UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology
Des Moines · Private nonprofit
Community & 2-Year Colleges(6)
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines · Private nonprofit
Allen College
Waterloo · Private nonprofit
St Luke's College
Sioux City · Private nonprofit
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Davenport · Private nonprofit
Orion Technical College
Davenport · Private for-profit
Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center
West Des Moines · Private nonprofit
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Updated regularly via automated sync. Contact schools directly for current requirements and costs.