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

Grand View University
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G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,796enrollment
  • $22,296net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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William Penn University
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W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,536enrollment
  • $22,361net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 830-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Upper Iowa University
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U
Fayette, IA
 

Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $22,427net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

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Allen College
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A
Waterloo, IA
 

Allen College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 489enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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AIB College of Business
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A
Des Moines, IA
 

AIB College of Business

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 348enrollment
  • $12,440net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Briar Cliff University
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B
Sioux City, IA
 

Briar Cliff University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 940enrollment
  • $23,292net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

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Des Moines Area Community College
D
Ankeny, IA
 

Des Moines Area Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 24,418enrollment
  • $10,119net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Divine Word College
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D
Epworth, IA
 

Divine Word College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 61enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Ellsworth Community College
E
Iowa Falls, IA
 

Ellsworth Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 685enrollment
  • $10,219net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Emmaus Bible College
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E
Dubuque, IA
 

Emmaus Bible College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 197enrollment
  • $14,393net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1060SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Eastern Iowa Community College District
E
Davenport, IA
 

Eastern Iowa Community College District

Public 2 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 7,128enrollment
  • $8,351net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
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F
Ankeny, IA
 

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 586enrollment
  • $18,288net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 940-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Purdue Global Mason City Campus
P
Mason City, IA
 

Purdue Global Mason City Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 142enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Purdue Global Cedar Rapids Campus
P
Cedar Rapids, IA
 

Purdue Global Cedar Rapids Campus

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 411enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Hamilton Technical College
H
Davenport, IA
 

Hamilton Technical College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 73enrollment
  • $20,650net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Hawkeye Community College
H
Waterloo, IA
 

Hawkeye Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 4,796enrollment
  • $9,308net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Indian Hills Community College
I
Ottumwa, IA
 

Indian Hills Community College

Public 2 Year

2 reviews

 

  • 3,236enrollment
  • $7,529net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Iowa Central Community College
I
Fort Dodge, IA
 

Iowa Central Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 4,909enrollment
  • $10,037net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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