Explore Iowa Colleges
Explore 35 colleges and universities in Iowa, including 3 public institutions and 32 private schools. Compare tuition costs, acceptance rates, and find your perfect fit.
35
Colleges
3
Public
32
Private
Avg Acceptance Rate
Average acceptance rate for Iowa colleges
Avg Net Price
After financial aid
Avg In-State Tuition
For public universities
Browse 35 colleges in Iowa, sorted by ranking and selectivity.
#12 in Best Value
Iowa City, IA
Acceptance
84%
Total Cost
$21,631
SAT
1130–1330
At Iowa, you dive into a lively Midwestern college town where the Writers' Workshop sparks literary legends and Hawkeye fandom fuels Friday night lights.
#19 in Liberal Arts
Grinnell, IA
Acceptance
15%
Total Cost
$77,830
SAT
1410–1540
Nestled in Iowa's cornfields, Grinnell molds fiercely independent thinkers who dive headfirst into ideas without the distractions of big-city buzz.
#29 in Best Value
Ames, IA
Acceptance
89%
Total Cost
$19,486
SAT
1120–1360
Land-grant pioneer where ag scientists and engineers innovate amid cornfields, birthplace of the first digital computer.
#71 in Best Value
Cedar Falls, IA
Acceptance
93%
Total Cost
$18,097
SAT
1020–1280
University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA.
#102 in Liberal Arts
Decorah, IA
Acceptance
72%
Total Cost
$59,040
SAT
1078–1406
Norwegian-rooted liberal arts college in Iowa bluffs, where choirs tour the world and students bond over riverside hikes.
#116 in Business
Des Moines, IA
Acceptance
64%
Total Cost
$60,016
SAT
1110–1350
Drake University fuses Midwest practicality with professional training in pharmacy, law, and journalism right in Iowa's capital.
#118 in Liberal Arts
Mount Vernon, IA
Acceptance
80%
Total Cost
$60,108
SAT
1120–1285
Dive deep into one subject at a time on Cornell College's revolutionary Block Plan, where three-and-a-half-week immersions in a cozy Iowa town forge unbreakable focus and friendships.
#119 in Liberal Arts
Cedar Rapids, IA
Acceptance
64%
Total Cost
$62,104
SAT
1070–1290
Small Iowa liberal arts college where undergrads dive into hands-on biology research and theater amid Cedar Rapids' industrial buzz.
#142 in Liberal Arts
Pella, IA
Acceptance
86%
Total Cost
$31,860
SAT
1056–1120
Small Iowa liberal arts college in a Dutch heritage town where most students study abroad before graduating.
#159 in Liberal Arts
Waverly, IA
Acceptance
76%
Total Cost
$58,490
SAT
930–1200
Lutheran liberal arts college in Iowa where choirs and bands tour Europe amid a tight-knit small-town community.
Grinnell College is the highest-ranked university in Iowa, ranked #63 nationally. The state is home to several prestigious institutions offering world-class education across various fields.
The average tuition at Iowa colleges varies by institution type. For public universities, the average in-state tuition is $30,334 per year. Out-of-state students pay an average of $31,751. After financial aid, the average net price is $20,923.
The average acceptance rate for colleges in Iowa is 78%. However, acceptance rates vary significantly by institution, with some highly selective universities accepting less than 10% of applicants while others maintain open enrollment policies.
To qualify for in-state tuition at Iowa public universities, you typically need to establish residency for at least 12 months before enrolling. Requirements usually include living in the state, having a Iowa driver's license, registering to vote in the state, and demonstrating intent to remain. Specific requirements vary by institution, so check with your chosen school's admissions office.
Iowa is located in the Midwest region of the United States. Known for strong public university systems and Big Ten athletics, the Midwest offers affordable education with tight-knit campus communities.
Iowa offers a range of affordable college options. The average net price after financial aid is $20,923. Public universities in Iowa provide particularly strong value for in-state residents, with lower tuition rates and access to state financial aid programs.