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

Northwestern College
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N
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#19 Best Value in Iowa

  • 1,665enrollment
  • $24,737net 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

#20 Best Value in Iowa

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

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William Penn University
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W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Value in Iowa

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

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