Best Iowa Colleges

Ranking top Colleges and Universities in Iowa for 2023

There are 62 colleges and universities in Iowa enrolling 234,162 students. Explore the list of top colleges in Iowa below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Iowa offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

 Iowa is home to nationally ranked institutions like Grinnell College, Drake University, University of Iowa and Luther College. The highest ranked college in Iowa is Grinnell College and the top rated public state college is University of Iowa.

Local college options can be explored in Des Moines or other cities.


62 results

List of the Best Iowa Colleges

Grinnell College
G
Grinnell, IA
Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,748enrollment
  • $32,091net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1530SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Drake University
D
Des Moines, IA
Drake University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 4,875enrollment
  • $30,321net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1410SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

University of Iowa
I
Iowa City, IA
University of Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 29,909enrollment
  • $17,452net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Luther College
L
Decorah, IA
Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,744enrollment
  • $25,291net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1318SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Saint Ambrose University
S
Davenport, IA
Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,913enrollment
  • $26,497net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Iowa State University
I
Ames, IA
Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 30,708enrollment
  • $16,105net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1330SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Cornell College
C
Mount Vernon, IA
Cornell College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,055enrollment
  • $25,028net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1155-1405SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Dordt College
D
Sioux Center, IA
Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,784enrollment
  • $25,982net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Central College
C
Pella, IA
Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,139enrollment
  • $21,690net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1260SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Simpson College
S
Indianola, IA
Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,218enrollment
  • $20,457net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

University of Northern Iowa
N
Cedar Falls, IA
University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#11 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 9,217enrollment
  • $16,166net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Northwestern College
N
Orange City, IA
Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,513enrollment
  • $24,513net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Wartburg College
W
Waverly, IA
 
Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,541enrollment
  • $23,248net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 973-1198SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Buena Vista University
B
Storm Lake, IA
Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,959enrollment
  • $18,300net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 963-1140SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Graceland University Lamoni
G
Lamoni, IA
 
Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,427enrollment
  • $18,434net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

Upper Iowa University
U
Fayette, IA
 
Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 3,031enrollment
  • $23,187net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 855-1065SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

University of Dubuque
D
Dubuque, IA
University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 2,001enrollment
  • $27,043net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 828-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

William Penn University
W
Oskaloosa, IA
 
William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,372enrollment
  • $21,256net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA