The Best Iowa Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in Iowa for 2024

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in Iowa as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment under 3,000. Small colleges allow students a more intimate and personalized experience where it's more likely you will get to know your professors. Leading the list for 2024 is Grinnell College. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Iowa small Public Private 4 year

14 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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Luther College
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Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

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

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Saint Ambrose University
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Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private 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

#3 Best Value 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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Cornell College
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Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private 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

#7 Best Private 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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Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private 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

#9 Best Private 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

#10 Best Private 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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Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private 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

#12 Best Private Colleges 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

#14 Best Private 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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Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private 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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William Penn University
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Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,473enrollment
  • $20,922net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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