The Best Value Iowa Colleges

Best Value Colleges in Iowa for 2024

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 2024 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 2024 as the overall best value college in Iowa is Grinnell College with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $33,467 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

19 results

Grinnell College
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Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value 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 Value in Iowa

  • 4,685enrollment
  • $30,333net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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Simpson College
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Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Value 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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Iowa State University
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Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Luther College
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Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Value in Iowa

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $25,734net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1075-1330SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Cornell College
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Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Value in Iowa

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

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University of Iowa
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Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Value 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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Saint Ambrose University
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Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Value in Iowa

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

#9 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Dordt College
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Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Value 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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Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Buena Vista University
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Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Value in Iowa

  • 1,973enrollment
  • $19,204net price
  • 77%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

#13 Best Value in Iowa

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

#14 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Grand View University
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Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Value 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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Northwestern College
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Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Upper Iowa University
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U
Fayette, IA
 

Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Value in Iowa

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

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Wartburg College
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Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Value in Iowa

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

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