Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Iowa
- 25
- Schools
- $54,921
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,359
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,457
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $40,562 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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Grinnell College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $62,830 against $17,648 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 Ellsworth Community College, at $11,451 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 Ellsworth Community College: graduates owe only 0.25× 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. Ellsworth Community College ($11,451/yr) and Wartburg College ($32,908/yr) produce graduates earning $40,562 and $56,201 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $21,457 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Grinnell College outperforms Drake University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Grinnell College. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $54K ten years after enrollment.
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 ▲ +14% vs avg | $17,648 | 88% | 72 |
| 2 Upper Iowa University #2 overall | $52,766 ▼ -4% vs avg | $20,942 | 38% | 68 |
| 3 Dordt University #3 overall | $52,559 ▼ -4% vs avg | $25,807 | 68% | 67 |
| $55,177 ▲ +0% vs avg | $15,901 | 68% | 66 | |
| $54,475 ▼ -1% vs avg | $23,907 | 48% | 66 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Iowa
This analysis ranks 25 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,921 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $22,359.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Grinnell College — Net Price: $17,648 | Graduation Rate: 88%
- 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.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$54,475
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$22,601
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Demand for mental-health and social-service professionals keeps rising, driven by greater awareness of mental-health needs, an aging population, and expanding access to services. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The social return is high and the financial return is capped, which makes program cost the most important variable in the value equation.
The median graduation rate across these 25 schools is 62%. Median graduate earnings reach $54,475 ten years after enrollment, roughly $6,475 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $22,601 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,000. Some 32% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.3%.
In human services, the cost of the degree matters as much as the career that follows it. Median earnings of roughly $54,475 and a net price of about $22,601 leave little room for heavy borrowing. Graduates who keep debt minimal do best in a field where the rewards are primarily social rather than financial.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Grinnell College lands at #1 with a 72/100 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, 14% 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
Upper Iowa University lands at #2 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,766 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,942 a year. 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
Dordt University lands at #3 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $52,559 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,807 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 #4
University of Northern Iowa lands at #4 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $55,177 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,901 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 #5
Briar Cliff University lands at #5 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,475 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,907 a year. 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 #6
Coe College lands at #6 with a 65/100 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, 4% 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 #7
Morningside University lands at #7 with a 65/100 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, 1% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Drake University lands at #8 with a 64/100 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, 31% 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 #9
Saint Ambrose University lands at #9 with a 64/100 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, 8% 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 #10
Waldorf University lands at #10 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $51,165 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,693 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 #11
Cornell College lands at #11 with a 63/100 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,634 a year. 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
Luther College lands at #12 with a 62/100 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, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,097 a year. 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 #13
Grand View University lands at #13 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $52,824 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,774 a year. 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 #14
Graceland University-Lamoni lands at #14 with a 62/100 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, 14% 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 #15
Simpson College lands at #15 with a 61/100 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, 8% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Loras College lands at #16 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,289 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,716 a year. 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 #17
Central College lands at #17 with a 61/100 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% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,377 a year. 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 #18
William Penn University lands at #18 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $48,936 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,601 a year. 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
Clarke University lands at #19 with a 60/100 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, 1% 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 #20
Buena Vista University lands at #20 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,156 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,846 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 #21
Wartburg College lands at #21 with a 60/100 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, 2% 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 #22
University of Dubuque lands at #22 with a 58/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,386 a year. 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 #23
Ellsworth Community College lands at #23 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $40,562 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,451 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Northwestern College lands at #24 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $49,802 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,907 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
Why it ranks #25
Iowa State University lands at #25 with a 56/100 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, 15% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 25 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a psychology program in Iowa means weighing options that are not just about coursework but also about long-term outcomes. With average earnings of $55,894 for graduates across these programs, the right choice could significantly impact a student's future. It's essential to consider not only the education itself but also how it translates into real-world success post-graduation.
The most effective psychology programs distinguish themselves through strong graduation rates, manageable debt, and promising post-college earnings. The schools listed here reflect these outcomes, with completion rates averaging 59% and varying significantly in debt burdens. As you explore the options below, pay close attention to the balance each program strikes between affordability and post-graduation success.
For instance, Grinnell College stands out with an impressive graduation rate of 88% and post-college earnings of $62,830. In contrast, Upper Iowa University has a lower graduation rate of just 38% and earnings of $52,766. This comparison illustrates the tradeoff between program rigor and financial implications, highlighting the importance of aligning educational goals with practical realities.
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 20 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 5.6% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Upper Iowa University leads at 14.9%, 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 27.5% 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 1.72 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
While examining the data, a notable trend emerges between Iowa State University and Coe College. Iowa State has a graduation rate of 75% and average earnings of $63,386, compared to Coe's lower graduation rate of 62% and earnings of $57,125. This difference suggests that the resources available at Iowa State may better support student success, which is a critical factor in assessing potential programs.
As you weigh these data points, consider your own priorities. If you value a higher graduation rate and earnings potential, schools like Grinnell and Iowa State might align well with your goals. However, if location or campus culture is more important to you, it’s worth visiting campuses to gauge the fit personally, beyond just these numbers.
The implications of these choices extend into life after college. Students from schools with higher graduation rates and earnings trajectories are positioned for more stable careers. For families making this decision, the focus should be on finding a balance between educational quality and financial sustainability. Each choice shapes not only a student's academic experience but also their future financial landscape.
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 Psychology Colleges in Iowa: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Iowa ranking? +
Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology 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 $54,921 average across the 25 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, Grinnell College leads: graduates earn a median $62,830 against net price of about $17,648 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 $22,359 a year across the 25 ranked schools with cost data. Ellsworth Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $11,451. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Psychology 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 25 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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