Best Iowa Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in Iowa for 2025

There are 62 colleges and universities in Iowa enrolling 236,279 students. Explore the list of top colleges in Iowa below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Iowa offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

 Iowa is home to nationally ranked institutions like Grinnell College, Drake University, University of Iowa and Luther College. The highest ranked college in Iowa is Grinnell College and the top rated public state college is University of Iowa.

Local college options can be explored in Des Moines or other cities.

Iowa Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

62 results

List of the Best Iowa Colleges

Grinnell College
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G
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,775enrollment
  • $33,446net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1418-1550SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Drake University
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D
Des Moines, IA

Drake University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 4,504enrollment
  • $30,886net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1390SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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University of Iowa
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I
Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 30,042enrollment
  • $20,121net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Luther College
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L
Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,463enrollment
  • $24,790net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1098-1318SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Iowa State University
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I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#5 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 30,177enrollment
  • $17,354net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Clarke University
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C
Dubuque, IA
 

Clarke University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,025enrollment
  • $25,692net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1045SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Coe College
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C
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,278enrollment
  • $20,940net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Simpson College
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Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,163enrollment
  • $23,637net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Saint Ambrose University
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Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,703enrollment
  • $23,578net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Cornell College
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Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,084enrollment
  • $25,850net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1318SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Dordt College
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D
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $27,925net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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University of Northern Iowa
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Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#12 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 9,013enrollment
  • $15,931net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 860-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,095enrollment
  • $22,499net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 935-1205SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Wartburg College
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W
Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,472enrollment
  • $23,321net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 978-1235SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Northwestern College
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N
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,665enrollment
  • $24,737net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Graceland University Lamoni
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G
Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,195enrollment
  • $16,632net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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University of Dubuque
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Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,795enrollment
  • $25,216net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Buena Vista University
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B
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,951enrollment
  • $18,156net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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