# Best Colleges in Iowa

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 38 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-iowa

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Iowa

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Iowa is home to a diverse range of colleges, each offering unique opportunities for students. With 38 institutions to choose from, families are weighing options based on graduation rates, earnings potential, and overall affordability. Understanding these factors can help guide a decision that impacts futures.

What sets the top schools apart in this list are the outcomes that matter most to students and families. Metrics such as average earnings, graduation rates, net price, and student debt provide a clearer picture of what to expect after graduation. For instance, the average earnings across these Iowa institutions stand at $51,362, while the average graduation rate is 56%. This information serves as a foundation for evaluating which colleges might lead to a more secure financial future.

Take Grinnell College and Iowa State University, for example. Grinnell boasts a high graduation rate of 88% and average earnings of $62,830, while Iowa State has a lower graduation rate of 75% and slightly higher average earnings at $63,386. This contrast highlights the tradeoff between a strong completion rate and immediate financial rewards.

## Key Findings

- Grinnell College graduates earn an average of $62,830, the highest in the state.
- Iowa State University has a significant average debt of $22,869, one of the highest among the top schools.
- North Iowa Area Community College shows a modest earning potential of $43,462 but has a low net price of $10,010.
- The average graduation rate across Iowa colleges is only 56%, indicating room for improvement.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Grinnell College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grinnell-college) | Grinnell, IA | 88% | $62,830 | $17,648 | $17,500 | 0.28x |
| 2 | [University of Iowa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-iowa) | Iowa City, IA | 74% | $64,762 | $22,531 | $22,500 | 0.35x |
| 3 | [University of Northern Iowa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-northern-iowa) | Cedar Falls, IA | 68% | $55,177 | $15,901 | $19,691 | 0.36x |
| 4 | [Drake University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/drake-university) | Des Moines, IA | 76% | $71,901 | $29,127 | $23,000 | 0.32x |
| 5 | [Coe College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coe-college) | Cedar Rapids, IA | 62% | $57,125 | $18,745 | $27,000 | 0.47x |
| 6 | [Upper Iowa University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/upper-iowa-university) | Fayette, IA | 38% | $52,766 | $20,942 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 7 | [Luther College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/luther-college) | Decorah, IA | 73% | $59,850 | $23,097 | $27,000 | 0.45x |
| 8 | [North Iowa Area Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-iowa-area-community-college) | Mason City, IA | 58% | $43,462 | $10,010 | $9,500 | 0.22x |
| 9 | [Kirkwood Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kirkwood-community-college) | Cedar Rapids, IA | 42% | $41,016 | $9,705 | $12,000 | 0.29x |
| 10 | [Mount Mercy University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mount-mercy-university) | Cedar Rapids, IA | 57% | $60,787 | $20,168 | $23,699 | 0.39x |
| 11 | [Iowa Central Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/iowa-central-community-college) | Fort Dodge, IA | 43% | $42,046 | $9,328 | $11,000 | 0.26x |
| 12 | [Cornell College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cornell-college) | Mount Vernon, IA | 67% | $53,460 | $23,634 | $27,000 | 0.51x |
| 13 | [Saint Ambrose University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-ambrose-university) | Davenport, IA | 62% | $59,531 | $24,691 | $25,000 | 0.42x |
| 14 | [Simpson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/simpson-college) | Indianola, IA | 64% | $59,274 | $21,936 | $26,000 | 0.44x |
| 15 | [Grand View University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grand-view-university) | Des Moines, IA | 55% | $52,824 | $21,774 | $22,500 | 0.43x |
| 16 | [Hawkeye Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hawkeye-community-college) | Waterloo, IA | 38% | $42,849 | $9,649 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 17 | [Dordt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dordt-university) | Sioux Center, IA | 68% | $52,559 | $25,807 | $21,500 | 0.41x |
| 18 | [Central College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-college) | Pella, IA | 68% | $54,317 | $23,377 | $26,984 | 0.5x |
| 19 | [Buena Vista University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/buena-vista-university) | Storm Lake, IA | 54% | $49,156 | $18,846 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 20 | [Loras College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/loras-college) | Dubuque, IA | 69% | $58,289 | $20,716 | $26,000 | 0.45x |
| 21 | [Northwestern College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-college) | Orange City, IA | 65% | $49,802 | $25,907 | $23,249 | 0.47x |
| 22 | [Wartburg College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wartburg-college) | Waverly, IA | 66% | $56,201 | $32,908 | $27,000 | 0.48x |
| 23 | [Iowa Lakes Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/iowa-lakes-community-college) | Estherville, IA | 36% | $43,108 | $13,933 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 24 | [Northeast Iowa Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeast-iowa-community-college) | Calmar, IA | 50% | $41,306 | $11,272 | $12,000 | 0.29x |
| 25 | [Indian Hills Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indian-hills-community-college) | Ottumwa, IA | 40% | $40,507 | $10,693 | $10,500 | 0.26x |
| 26 | [Clarke University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clarke-university) | Dubuque, IA | 56% | $55,396 | $24,479 | $26,717 | 0.48x |
| 27 | [Briar Cliff University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/briar-cliff-university) | Sioux City, IA | 48% | $54,475 | $23,907 | $23,250 | 0.43x |
| 28 | [William Penn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-penn-university) | Oskaloosa, IA | 31% | $48,936 | $22,601 | $22,415 | 0.46x |
| 29 | [Eastern Iowa Community College District](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-iowa-community-college-district) | Davenport, IA | 39% | $39,060 | $14,017 | $12,739 | 0.33x |
| 30 | [Morningside University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morningside-university) | Sioux City, IA | 52% | $55,494 | $31,320 | $26,028 | 0.47x |
| 31 | [Iowa State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/iowa-state-university) | Ames, IA | 75% | $63,386 | $18,589 | $22,869 | 0.36x |
| 32 | [Graceland University-Lamoni](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/graceland-university-lamoni) | Lamoni, IA | 40% | $47,361 | $18,504 | $21,212 | 0.45x |
| 33 | [Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/faith-baptist-bible-college-and-theological-seminary) | Ankeny, IA | 64% | $40,650 | $16,282 | $12,971 | 0.32x |
| 34 | [Ellsworth Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ellsworth-community-college) | Iowa Falls, IA | 40% | $40,562 | $11,451 | $10,000 | 0.25x |
| 35 | [University of Dubuque](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-dubuque) | Dubuque, IA | 41% | $51,190 | $23,386 | $25,750 | 0.5x |
| 36 | [Mercy College of Health Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mercy-college-of-health-sciences) | Des Moines, IA | 56% | $62,234 | $26,924 | $14,745 | 0.24x |
| 37 | [Maharishi International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maharishi-international-university) | Fairfield, IA | 34% | $27,981 | $14,956 | $24,781 | 0.89x |
| 38 | [Southwestern Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-community-college) | Creston, IA | 56% | $40,129 | $9,871 | $10,975 | 0.27x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in Iowa." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-iowa

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.