The Best Iowa Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in Iowa for 2025

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 2025 is Grinnell College. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Iowa small Public Private 4 year

16 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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Luther College
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Decorah, IA

Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Iowa

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

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Clarke University
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Dubuque, IA
 

Clarke University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

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

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Coe College
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Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges 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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Simpson College
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Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges 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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Saint Ambrose University
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Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

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

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Cornell College
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Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,084enrollment
  • $25,850net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1318SAT 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

#9 Best Private Colleges 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

#10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

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

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Wartburg College
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W
Waverly, IA
 

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

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

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Northwestern College
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Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,665enrollment
  • $24,737net 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

#13 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

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

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

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

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Grand View University
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Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private 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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Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

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

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