Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Iowa
- 19
- Schools
- $53,961
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,575
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,268
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $40,507 at the low end to $71,901 at the top. That 1.8× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Hawkeye Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $42,849 against $9,649 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Hawkeye Community College, at $9,649 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Grinnell College graduates 88% of its students, well above the 58% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Northwest Iowa Community College: graduates owe only 0.19× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Grinnell College ($62,830 earnings), not the highest earner, Drake University ($71,901). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Hawkeye Community College ($9,649/yr) and Wartburg College ($32,908/yr) produce graduates earning $42,849 and $56,201 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $23,259 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Hawkeye Community College outperforms Drake University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Hawkeye Community College and Grinnell College. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $55K within a decade, and data scientist roles are projected to grow 36%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Grinnell College #1 overall | $62,830 ▲ +16% vs avg | $17,648 | 88% | 82 |
| 2 Northwest Iowa Community College #2 overall | $50,776 ▼ -6% vs avg | $14,800 | 57% | 73 |
| 3 Luther College #3 overall | $59,850 ▲ +11% vs avg | $23,097 | 73% | 71 |
| $71,901 ▲ +33% vs avg | $29,127 | 76% | 71 | |
| $57,125 ▲ +6% vs avg | $18,745 | 62% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Iowa
This analysis ranks 19 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,961 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $20,575.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Hawkeye Community College — Net Price: $9,649 | Graduation Rate: 38%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Grinnell College — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Drake University — Median alumni earnings: $71,901
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$55,396
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$21,936
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Technology hiring rewards ability over credentials more than any other field on this site. Toolchains turn over every few years, so computing and data-science programs compete on employer connections, project-based learning, and curriculum currency. The programs that teach fundamentals and learning agility produce the graduates who last.
Start with the medians across these 19 schools. Graduates earn a median of $55,396 ten years after enrollment, or about $7,396 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 62%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $21,936 a year with about $25,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 28% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.3%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $55,396 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Grinnell College lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $62,830 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,648 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Northwest Iowa Community College lands at #2 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (70/100). Graduates earn a median $50,776 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,800 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Luther College lands at #3 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $59,850 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,097 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Drake University lands at #4 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $71,901 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,127 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Coe College lands at #5 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $57,125 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,745 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Kirkwood Community College lands at #6 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,016 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,705 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Cornell College lands at #7 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $53,460 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,634 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Saint Ambrose University lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $59,531 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,691 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Hawkeye Community College lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $42,849 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,649 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Simpson College lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $59,274 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,936 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Indian Hills Community College lands at #11 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $40,507 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,693 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Iowa Western Community College lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $42,793 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,629 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Central College lands at #13 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $54,317 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,377 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Wartburg College lands at #14 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $56,201 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,908 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Clarke University lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $55,396 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,479 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Iowa State University lands at #16 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $63,386 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,589 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Morningside University lands at #17 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $55,494 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Graceland University-Lamoni lands at #18 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $47,361 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,504 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
University of Dubuque lands at #19 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $51,190 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,386 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 19 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Data Scientists and related roles — a field with $108,020 median pay and 36% projected growth.
See the Data Scientist career guide →Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in today's job market, with many colleges in Iowa offering programs designed to equip students with the necessary skills. Whether you're a high school senior choosing your next step or a working professional considering a career change, understanding the options in your state can help you make a more informed choice. In Iowa, there are 15 colleges with data science programs that stand out for various reasons, including earnings potential and graduation rates.
What sets the strongest schools apart in this list are their outcomes, specifically around earnings, graduation rates, and student debt levels. For example, the average earnings for graduates from these programs in Iowa is $53,989, while the average graduation rate sits at 60%. These metrics provide a clearer view of the potential return on investment for students and families considering data science as a field of study.
Take Grinnell College and Drake University, for example. Grinnell graduates report an average earning of $62,830 with an impressive 88% graduation rate and a net price of $17,648. In contrast, Drake students earn slightly more at $71,901 but face a much higher net price of $29,127 and a graduation rate of 76%. This contrast highlights the trade-offs between cost and potential earnings, prompting consideration of what factors matter most in your decision-making process.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 16 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.3%. Clarke University leads the group at 3.4%, with Morningside University (1.8%) and Drake University (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Indian Hills Community College leads at 13.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 27.3% across this list. Clarke University posts the highest success rate at 49%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.63 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Drake University reaches 1.82, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing Grinnell College to Iowa State University, the earnings and graduation rates reveal a significant difference in outcomes. Grinnell's graduates earn $62,830, which is slightly lower than Iowa State's $63,386, but Grinnell's graduation rate of 88% far exceeds Iowa State's 75%. These figures suggest that Grinnell's program may better support students through to graduation, leading to more successful outcomes overall.
As you consider these schools, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing lower debt levels, like those at Kirkwood Community College, where students graduate with an average debt of $12,000? Or are you focusing on higher earning potential, which you’ll find at institutions like Drake University? It's essential to weigh these data points against your personal financial situation and career goals, as well as the campus culture and community.
The pathway from college to stable employment is crucial for many families. With data science skills in demand, choosing a school that aligns with your financial and personal goals can make all the difference. For a family deciding on the right college, this could mean the difference between manageable debt and financial strain, underscoring the importance of careful consideration in this significant decision.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Data Science Colleges in Iowa: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Iowa ranking? +
Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in Iowa ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $62,830 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 88% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Drake University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $71,901 ten years after enrollment, well above the $53,961 average across the 19 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Hawkeye Community College leads: graduates earn a median $42,849 against net price of about $9,649 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Grinnell College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 58% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $20,575 a year across the 19 ranked schools with cost data. Hawkeye Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $9,649. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in Iowa ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 19 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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