Best Iowa Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in Iowa for 2024

There are 62 colleges and universities in Iowa enrolling 233,230 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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Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,759enrollment
  • $33,467net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Drake University
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Des Moines, IA

Drake University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 4,685enrollment
  • $30,333net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT 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

  • 30,015enrollment
  • $19,587net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Luther College
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Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $25,734net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1330SAT 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

  • 29,969enrollment
  • $15,310net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Saint Ambrose University
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Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,747enrollment
  • $23,359net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Simpson College
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Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,151enrollment
  • $23,185net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Northern Iowa
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Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 8,945enrollment
  • $15,782net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1330SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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Cornell College
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Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,073enrollment
  • $25,686net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1380SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

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Dordt College
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Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,861enrollment
  • $27,375net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,169enrollment
  • $23,303net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1218SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Northwestern College
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Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,651enrollment
  • $25,198net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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Graceland University Lamoni
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Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,237enrollment
  • $16,627net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg 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

  • 1,444enrollment
  • $23,683net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 970-1120SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

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Buena Vista University
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Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,973enrollment
  • $19,204net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Upper Iowa University
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U
Fayette, IA
 

Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 3,072enrollment
  • $24,563net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 890-1050SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg 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

  • 1,776enrollment
  • $22,879net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 828-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Grand View University
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G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,827enrollment
  • $20,236net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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