Best Des Moines Private Colleges

5 private colleges near Des Moines, and 2 within city limits, enrolling 10,324 students across the metro.

Grinnell College in Grinnell ranks #57 nationally and leads the Des Moines area. Drake University enrolls the most students with 4,345 currently taking classes. Central College has the lowest tuition at $20,988 per year.

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Des Moines, IA within 50 miles Private 4 Year 2 Year
Grinnell College Campus

credit : Ron Cogswell / license

  • Private 4 Year
  • Grinnell, IA
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

Grinnell is a highly selective private liberal arts college known for an open curriculum and undergraduate work in the sciences and social sciences. Most undergrads live on the residential campus in the small town of Grinnell.

#1 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 9/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1410-1540
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.89
  • Acceptance Rate 15%
  • Net Price $34,363
Details
Drake University Campus

credit : Picture Des Moines / license

  • Private 4 Year
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 5.0 | 2 reviews

Drake is a private university known for undergraduate journalism, pharmacy, and business. The campus sits in a residential neighborhood near downtown Des Moines.

#2 Best Colleges in Iowa 8/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1110-1350
  • Avg GPA 3.7
  • Acceptance Rate 64%
  • Net Price $29,565
Details
Simpson College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Indianola, IA
  • 2.0 | 1 reviews
  • Aug 15 application deadline

Simpson is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate music, business, and education. The residential campus is in the small college town of Indianola near Des Moines.

#6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 6/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 890-1280
  • Avg GPA 3.62
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • Net Price $23,282
Details
Central College Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Pella, IA
  • | 0 reviews

Central is a private liberal arts college known for undergraduate sciences, education, and study abroad. Most undergrads live on a residential campus in the small college town of Pella.

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 6/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1056-1120
  • Avg GPA 3.52
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • Net Price $23,848
Details
Grand View University Campus
 

  • Private 4 Year
  • Des Moines, IA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 15 application deadline

Grand View is a private Lutheran university known for undergraduate nursing, business, and education. The urban campus sits in Des Moines, Iowa's capital city.

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 920-1080
  • Avg GPA 3.3
  • Acceptance Rate 99%
  • Net Price $22,319
Details