The Best Value Iowa Colleges

Best Value Colleges in Iowa for 2025

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in Iowa based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2025 as the overall best value college in Iowa is Grinnell College with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $33,446 average net price. The highest value public state college is Iowa State University. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.
Iowa Public Private 4 year

21 results

Grinnell College
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Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value 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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Coe College
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Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value 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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Luther College
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Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Drake University
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Des Moines, IA

Drake University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Simpson College
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Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Value 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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Iowa State University
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I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Cornell College
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Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Saint Ambrose University
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Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Clarke University
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Dubuque, IA
 

Clarke University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Value in Iowa

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

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University of Iowa
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Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#10 Best Value 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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Wartburg College
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Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Dordt College
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Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Central College
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Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Value in Iowa

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

#14 Best Value in Iowa

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

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

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University of Dubuque
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Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Graceland University Lamoni
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Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Value in Iowa

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