Best Colleges in Iowa (2019-2020)

The schools listed below rank in the best colleges in Iowa. For this ranking, we consider any type/level of colleges including national universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and specialized schools. In Iowa, there are 87 colleges and universities - by school type, 24 public and 63 private schools, and by school level, 44 4 years (or high), 42 2-4 years, and 1 less than 2 years schools.

For academic year 2019-2020, Grinnell College ranks first in the best Iowa colleges ranking and Drake University and Iowa State University followed it. By school type, there are 3 public and 7 schools in the best Iowa colleges.

The average acceptance rate of the best Iowa colleges 70.55% where Grinnell College has the tightest rate with 24.38%. Grinnell College has the highest tuition & fees with $54,354 where the average amount is $38,734 of the schools. Grinnell College has the highest submitted SAT scores with 1,450 where the average SAT scores is 1,190 of the schools. The average student population is 9,191 and the average student to faculty ratio is 12.70 to 1 over the best Iowa colleges.

The ranking is based on CollegeEvaluator's ranking methodology by considering academic, financial, admissions, learning environment, and more perspectives. [read more about the ranking methodology]

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1Grinnell College 87.71

Grinnell College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Grinnell, IA with total 1,716 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,450
Acceptance Rate	24.38%
Tuition & Fees	$54,354
Student Population	1,716 (All Undergraduate)
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2Drake University 85.99

Drake University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Des Moines, IA with total 4,869 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,250
Acceptance Rate	67.66%
Tuition & Fees	$42,840
Student Population	4,869 (3,015 Undergraduate)
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3Iowa State University 85.83

Iowa State University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Ames, IA with total 34,992 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,213
Acceptance Rate	90.60%
Tuition & Fees	$9,320 (in-state) / $24,508 (out-of-state)
Student Population	34,992 (29,621 Undergraduate)
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41Luther College 85.54

Luther College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Decorah, IA with total 2,005 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,180
Acceptance Rate	62.57%
Tuition & Fees	$44,070
Student Population	2,005 (All Undergraduate)
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51University of Iowa 85.47

University of Iowa is a public, 4 or more years school located in Iowa City, IA with total 31,656 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,225
Acceptance Rate	82.67%
Tuition & Fees	$9,606 (in-state) / $31,569 (out-of-state)
Student Population	31,656 (23,989 Undergraduate)
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62Simpson College 85.10

Simpson College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Indianola, IA with total 1,444 students.

Highest Degree	Master's degree
SAT Scores	1,150
Acceptance Rate	84.23%
Tuition & Fees	$40,666
Student Population	1,444 (1,396 Undergraduate)
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71University of Northern Iowa 85.08

University of Northern Iowa is a public, 4 or more years school located in Cedar Falls, IA with total 11,187 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,111
Acceptance Rate	80.74%
Tuition & Fees	$8,938 (in-state) / $21,222 (out-of-state)
Student Population	11,187 (9,536 Undergraduate)
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83Central College 84.90

Central College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Pella, IA with total 1,117 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,045
Acceptance Rate	69.99%
Tuition & Fees	$38,600
Student Population	1,117 (All Undergraduate)
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92Coe College 84.82

Coe College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Cedar Rapids, IA with total 1,422 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,189
Acceptance Rate	66.93%
Tuition & Fees	$45,580
Student Population	1,422 (All Undergraduate)
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101Wartburg College 84.76

Wartburg College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Waverly, IA with total 1,498 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,090
Acceptance Rate	75.71%
Tuition & Fees	$43,930
Student Population	1,498 (All Undergraduate)
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Best Colleges in Iowa (2019-2020) Comparison

Rank	Name	Acceptance Rate	Undergraduate Tuition & Fees	Graduate Tuition & Fees	SAT Scores	Population	Student : Faculty
1	Grinnell College Grinnell, IA	24.38%	$54,354	-	1,450	1,716	9 to 1
2	Drake University Des Moines, IA	67.66%	$42,840	$11,818	1,250	4,869	10 to 1
3	Iowa State University Ames, IA	90.60%	$24,508 ($9,320)	$25,952 ($10,990)	1,213	34,992	19 to 1
4 1	Luther College Decorah, IA	62.57%	$44,070	-	1,180	2,005	11 to 1
5 1	University of Iowa Iowa City, IA	82.67%	$31,569 ($9,606)	$30,613 ($11,666)	1,225	31,656	16 to 1
6 2	Simpson College Indianola, IA	84.23%	$40,666	$8,633	1,150	1,444	11 to 1
7 1	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA	80.74%	$21,222 ($8,938)	$22,648 ($10,432)	1,111	11,187	18 to 1
8 3	Central College Pella, IA	69.99%	$38,600	-	1,045	1,117	11 to 1
9 2	Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA	66.93%	$45,580	-	1,189	1,422	11 to 1
10 1	Wartburg College Waverly, IA	75.71%	$43,930	$21,900	1,090	1,498	11 to 1