Best Colleges in Iowa
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Best Accredited Colleges
#1 Grinnell College 
Grinnell, IA 
$29492 
87%
Grinnell, IA $29492 87% Located in the town of the same name, Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college known for flexible curriculum pathways and a commitment to social responsibility and justice. This coeducational, residential college serves approximately 1,700 students each year. Grinnell participates in NCAA athletics, features over 150 student groups, and hosts hundreds of lectures, performances, and events each year. Grinnell offers a diverse catalog of 27 majors and 16 concentrations. Areas of study include biological chemistry, classics (ancient Greece and Rome), Russian, statistics, and technology studies. Students receive individual advising to help them craft their own ideal curriculum. Major selection isn't required until the second half of a learner's sophomore year. Grinnell emphasizes experiential learning and mentorship, providing students with extensive opportunities for internships, externships, service learning, and study abroad. Admission to Grinnel is highly selective. Prospective students must submit official high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, two teacher evaluations, and a counselor recommendation.
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#2 Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA $27009 71%
Mount Vernon, IA $27009 71% Cornell College is a private liberal arts college located in Mount Vernon and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Cornell values spiritual diversity and welcomes students from all religious and nonreligious perspectives. More than 1,000 students attend classes at Cornell each year, 92% of whom live on campus. Cornell offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs in areas such as economics, history, and psychology. Students can also work with an academic advisor to customize a major according to specific career goals. Cornell's notable "One Course at a Time" curriculum structure allows students to immerse themselves in a single academic discipline during each three- to four-week block. Cornell's centers its selective admissions process on academic ability and preparedness, personal character, and extracurricular involvement. All prospective students must supply a completed application, high school transcripts, writing samples, and either ACT/SAT scores or a portfolio.
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#3 Northwestern College Orange City, IA $23335 68%
Orange City, IA $23335 68% A private liberal arts institution, Northwestern College affiliates with the Reformed Church. Approximately 85% of NWC's 1,200 students live in on-site residence halls and apartment complexes. The 100-acre campus in Orange City also offers state-of-the-art facilities for academics, athletics, physical fitness, theater performance, and worship. Dozens of student clubs and organizations provide additional engagement opportunities. NWC students can customize their education through dozens of undergraduate majors, minors, career concentrations, pre-professional programs, and certificates. Available disciplines include criminal justice, public relations, art therapy, and education. Undergraduates who need additional flexibility to achieve their goals can craft a unique, student-initiated major. Learners can complete several programs entirely online, including an RN-to-BSN degree, five master of education options, and seven education endorsements. Prospective undergraduates must supply a completed application, either online or through the mail, along with official high school transcripts and ACT, SAT, or CLT test scores.
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#4 Maharishi University of Management Fairfield, IA $18147 64%
Fairfield, IA $18147 64% Maharishi University of Management is a private nonprofit university located on a 370-acre campus in Fairfield. The school's on-site and online programs attract approximately 300 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students each year. MUM utilizes consciousness-based education, which applies transcendental meditation techniques to academic learning and exploration. Undergraduate students can pursue a variety of majors -- including creative and professional writing, computer science, and art -- or design their own individualized program. MUM is the first university in the U.S. to offer bachelor's degrees in sustainable living, regenerative organic agriculture, and consciousness and human potential. MUM also offers 16 master's programs and three doctoral degrees. A month-by-month block system allows students to immerse themselves in one course at a time. MUM accepts applications year-round. Prospective students should possess a GPA of at least 2.5 for undergraduate degrees or 3.0 for graduate degrees, but those with lower GPAs may be considered depending on additional qualifications. A $20 processing fee applies for all applicants.
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#5 Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids, IA $22429 58%
Cedar Rapids, IA $22429 58% Mount Mercy University is a private Catholic liberal arts university located on a small 40-acre campus in the heart of Cedar Rapids. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1928, MMU is committed to five critical concerns: Earth, immigration, nonviolence, racism, and women. MMU encourages its 1,800 students to explore the possibilities of a more just, equal, and peaceful world. The school's diverse catalog encompasses dozens of undergraduate and graduate degrees in arts, business, healthcare, humanities, and science disciplines. MMU also provides one of the largest selections of flexible degree pathways in the state. Students can earn eight bachelor's degrees and two master's degrees entirely online. An accelerated program offers 11 undergraduate majors, block scheduling, and convenient evening classes. MMU accepts applications on a rolling basis. Prospective freshmen can complete a free application online or on paper. All applicants must provide high school transcripts and standardized test scores.
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#6 Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA $20016 60%
Storm Lake, IA $20016 60% Buena Vista University is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Located in Storm Lake, the 60-acre campus sits on the shores of the town's namesake. More than 1,800 students enroll in on-site and online programs each year. BVU provides on-site housing, small class sizes, extensive internship opportunities, and NCAA athletics programs. Undergraduates can choose from more than 45 programs of study, including agricultural business, animation, mathematics, music production, and scientific illustration. A flexible exploratory program option allows students to pursue various interests before choosing a preferred major. Opportunities for study abroad, voluntourism, and travel courses promote global awareness and academic enrichment. Students with difficulty attending traditional classes can pursue one of over 30 online degrees at the undergraduate or graduate level. Prospective first-time students should supply a completed application, high school transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores. BVU gives admission preference to individuals with GPAs of 3.0 or above.
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#7 Morningside College Sioux City, IA $22147 56%
Sioux City, IA $22147 56% Morningside College is a private four-year college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Approximately 1,300 students attend classes on the 68-acre campus in Sioux City each year. Morningside offers on-site housing, NAIA varsity sports, Greek life, and more than 50 student organizations and clubs. The Morningside academic catalog boasts over 65 undergraduate majors, pre-professional programs, and flexible online and hybrid graduate degrees in education and nursing. Available undergraduate disciplines include agriculture, biology, business, mass communication, and religious studies. The flexible "X Path" program provides undecided students up to two years of guided exploration of career options while maintaining a guaranteed four-year timeline to graduation. Students can enhance their academics through study abroad, experience-learning, and cocurricular activities. Prospective freshmen must provide high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores. Morningside charges no application fee. All undergraduate students receive some type of financial aid.
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#8 Iowa State University Ames, IA $13949 73%
Ames, IA $13949 73% Iowa State University is a public land- and space-grant research university located in Ames. With a campus of 1,900 acres, the institution is the third-largest university in the state as well as in the NCAA's Big 12 athletic conference. Notably, Iowa State belongs to the invitation-only Association of American Universities, along with 61 other top research universities in the U.S. and Canada. Approximately 35,000 students attend Iowa State each year, pursuing diverse academic options from a catalog of 104 bachelor's degrees, 117 master's programs, and 83 Ph.D. degrees. The university delivers these programs through eight colleges: agriculture and life sciences, business, design, engineering, human sciences, liberal arts and sciences, veterinary medicine, and the graduate college. Students can also access select courses and programs through online and hybrid learning. Prospective undergraduate students must provide high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.
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#9 Saint Ambrose University Davenport, IA $24940 63%
Davenport, IA $24940 63% Saint Ambrose University is a private, Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in Davenport. The small, urban campus features a fine arts center, a recently renovated chapel, a wellness and recreation center, and residence halls with 24/7 security and weekly housekeeping. SAU welcomes approximately 3,000 students each year. Students can choose from more than 60 academic programs at SAU, including bachelor's degrees, pre-professional tracks, and graduate programs in 12 diverse areas of study. SAU also offers four accelerated degree options -- in applied management studies, nursing, and business administration -- as well as six asynchronous online programs. Motivated students can challenge themselves in SAU's honors program or apply for a spot in the intensive, six-week undergraduate summer research institute organized by the College of Arts and Sciences. Admission requirements vary by student status and program. First-year applicants must provide a completed application, high school transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores.
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#10 Grand View University Des Moines, IA $18442 50%
Des Moines, IA $18442 50% Grand View University is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Annual enrollment typically exceeds 1,800 students, more than 800 of whom live on-site at the 50-acre campus in the Union Park neighborhood of Des Moines. The campus features a wellness center, business center, communication center, and library. GV's diverse academic offerings include bachelor's degrees, graduate programs, teaching endorsements, and pre-professional preparation. Undergraduates can choose from over 40 majors, 28 minors, and 4 certificates in disciplines like art and design, biotechnology, foreign languages, and organizational studies. GV offers full-time day courses, evening courses, online courses, and hybrid courses to meet a variety of scheduling needs. Students can enhance their college experience with study abroad opportunities, NAIA Vikings athletics, and campus events. To be considered for admission, prospective freshmen must complete a free online application, provide official high school transcripts, and submit ACT or SAT scores.
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#11 William Penn University Oskaloosa, IA $20214 35%
Oskaloosa, IA $20214 35% William Penn University is a private liberal arts university located in Oskaloosa with an annual enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. Facilities within the almost 14-acre campus include residence halls in addition to a fine arts center, technology center, activity center, and chapel. Guided by its Quaker heritage, WPU encourages students to engage in interdenominational religious life programming. WPU offers 29 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, and master's degrees in eight broad interest areas including applied technology, business administration, humanities, and social and behavioral sciences. The university serves students' flexible scheduling needs with eight programs offered entirely online and seven programs with on-site evening and weekend classes. Outside of class, students can participate in recreational activities, fine arts opportunities, intramurals, and NAIA athletics. General admission requirements for undergraduates include a minimum 2.0 GPA and a composite score of 18 or higher on the ACT (or the SAT equivalent). Applicants must also supply a completed application and official transcripts.
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#12 Wartburg College Waverly, IA $22976 65%
Waverly, IA $22976 65% Wartburg College is a four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The college has relocated more than five times since its founding in 1852 and settled in Waverly in 1870. Wartburg offers on-site residence halls, dozens of clubs and organizations, arts and culture events, and study abroad opportunities. The Knights compete in NCAA's Division III. Approximately 1,500 students attend Wartburg each year. Undergraduates can choose from more than 50 majors, including business administration, biology, elementary education, psychology, and music therapy -- the last of which is the only degree of its kind offered by a private college in Iowa. Wartburg also offers a diverse catalog of minors, concentrations, pre-professional programs, and graduate programs in leadership and music therapy. Wartburg practices selective admissions. All prospective freshmen must submit a high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a writing sample with their completed application.
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#13 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA $14845 74%
Iowa City, IA $14845 74% Founded in 1847, the University of Iowa is the oldest and second-largest university in the state. Located on a 1,880-acre campus in Iowa City, this public research university serves more than 32,000 students each year. UI boasts a proud athletic tradition, the largest library system in the state, and many notable alumni and faculty, including 43 Pulitzer Prize winners. Eleven colleges provide more than 200 majors, minors, certificate programs, and graduate degrees in disciplines such as business, dentistry, education, liberal arts, and public health. UI features well-respected programs in healthcare, law, and fine arts. The school also hosts a nationally ranked public teaching hospital and the celebrated Iowa Writer's Workshop, which offers MFA degrees in creative writing. The school also delivers 29 programs online. Prospective students must provide a completed application, official high school transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores. Some colleges and programs require additional admission qualifications.
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#14 St Luke's College Sioux City, IA $20290 100%
Sioux City, IA $20290 100% The region's smallest institution of higher learning, St. Luke's College is a medical-center-based health sciences college located in Sioux City. Students receive a health system education in a dynamic setting with facilities that include practice laboratories, conference rooms, student lounges, a library, and a bookstore. St. Luke's College offers certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees in nursing, health science, radiology, phlebotomy, respiratory care, and medical lab science. A clinical pastoral education pathway offers students the opportunity to gain experience as a hospital chaplain. Additionally, distance learners can access the RN-to-BSN program and health sciences bachelor's program entirely online. Many of St. Luke's College programs hold accreditation from associations including the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Admission to St. Luke's College is competitive. The school evaluates prospective students based on high school academics, ACT or SAT results, any prior college academics, and application essays.
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#15 Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA $21733 69%
Cedar Rapids, IA $21733 69% Founded in 1851, Coe College is a private liberal arts university historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The 70-acre campus in Cedar Rapids attracts an annual enrollment of more than 1,400. Coe students engage in weekly activities, on-site housing communities, NCAA athletics, Greek life, and the nation's largest undergraduate, student-run writing center. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 60 areas of study, including African American studies, biology, creative writing, environmental science, organizational science, and religion. Coe also offer pre-professional programs in 13 fields such as pre-actuarial science, pre-law, and pre-veterinary medicine. The school ensures small class sizes and personal attention from knowledgeable professors with an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Learners can also access a wealth of resources including tutoring, career assistance, and public speaking consultations. Prospective students must supply a completed application, ACT or SAT scores, official high school transcripts, an admission recommendation, and a personal essay.
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#16 Luther College Decorah, IA $26013 80%
Decorah, IA $26013 80% Originally founded as a seminary in 1861, Luther College later became a private liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. More than 2,000 students enroll at Luther each year. The 175-acre campus in Decorah hosts over 100 student organizations and a variety of athletic facilities. Luther offers more than 40 majors, 46 minors, and nine pre-professional programs including pre-dentistry, pre-law, and pre-ministry. Every undergraduate program at Luther features a broad liberal arts curriculum that prepares students for complexity, diversity, and change. Available majors include anthropology, environmental science, international studies, Nordic studies, and visual communication. Students seeking a more individualized education can develop a customizable, interdisciplinary major that combines two or more related disciplines. Prospective students must supply a completed application, an educator or counselor reference, an essay, official high school transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores.
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#17 Drake University Des Moines, IA $28277 79%
Des Moines, IA $28277 79% Drake University is a private university located on a 105-acre, urban campus in Des Moines. Drake enrolls more than 3,000 undergraduate students and 1,800 graduate students. Students benefit from on-campus housing, dining, 160 clubs and organizations, intramural sports, and leadership and service-learning opportunities. Nearby state parks provide year-round outdoor recreation. Drake students can choose from more than 100 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations and more than 35 graduate degrees. The school organizes academic offerings into six colleges, including one of the oldest law schools in the country. Undergraduates can pursue programs of study in art history, information science, magazine media, neuroscience, and writing. Drake also provides six graduate degrees and two certificates in an asynchronous online format. Admission to Drake is competitive. Prospective freshmen can choose a standard application process or a test-flexible application process, which requires an interview in lieu of ACT or SAT scores. All applicants must provide official high school transcripts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best colleges in Iowa?
Some of the best colleges in Iowa include the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Grinnell College, Drake University, and Coe College.
2. How do I apply to colleges in Iowa?
To apply to colleges in Iowa, you typically need to complete an online application form, submit your high school transcripts, provide standardized test scores (such as the SAT or ACT), write an essay, and obtain letters of recommendation.
3. What majors and programs are offered at Iowa colleges?
Iowa colleges offer a wide range of majors and programs, including but not limited to business, engineering, computer science, education, nursing, psychology, biology, and liberal arts.
4. What is the cost of tuition at Iowa colleges?
Tuition costs vary depending on the college and program you choose. On average, in-state tuition at public colleges in Iowa is around $9,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition can range from $20,000 to $40,000 per year. Private colleges tend to have higher tuition costs.
5. Are there scholarships and financial aid available for Iowa colleges?
Yes, there are various scholarships and financial aid options available for students attending colleges in Iowa. These can include merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, work-study programs, and student loans. It is recommended to explore the specific financial aid options offered by each college.
6. What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Iowa colleges?
The student-to-faculty ratio varies among colleges in Iowa. Generally, larger universities may have higher ratios, while smaller colleges tend to have lower ratios. It is advisable to research the specific college you are interested in to find out their student-to-faculty ratio.
7. What is campus life like at Iowa colleges?
Campus life at Iowa colleges is vibrant and diverse. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, clubs, sports teams, and cultural events. Many colleges also offer on-campus housing, dining options, and recreational facilities.
8. Can international students apply to Iowa colleges?
Yes, international students can apply to colleges in Iowa. However, they may have additional requirements, such as demonstrating English language proficiency through tests like the TOEFL or IELTS, obtaining a student visa, and providing financial documentation.
9. What career services are available at Iowa colleges?
Iowa colleges typically offer career services to assist students with job searching, internships, resume writing, interview preparation, and networking opportunities. These services aim to help students transition from college to the workforce successfully.
10. Can I visit the campuses of Iowa colleges?
Yes, most Iowa colleges welcome campus visits from prospective students. It is recommended to schedule a campus tour in advance to explore the facilities, meet current students, and get a feel for the campus environment.