College Costs in Iowa

The 2025 Directory of Iowa Colleges and Prices

Iowa Colleges, Cost and Affordability for 2025

How much does it cost to attend college in Iowa?   The average annual in-state college tuition in Iowa was $21,159 for the 2021-2022 academic year. This is $5,529 higher than the U.S. average and ranks Iowa amongst the costliest as the 8th most expensive state or district to attend college. This is a change of -$361 from the 2019-2020 average of $21,520 and represents a -1.68% annual decline in tuition costs. The list of Iowa colleges below provides school specific cost and value rating.

This analysis surveyed tuition data from the 62 colleges and universities in Iowa, the most popular being Purdue Global Davenport Campus with 7,274 full time students and an in-state tuition list price of $13,356. Grinnell College is the most expensive in Iowa with an in-state tuition of $64,342.

All price data are reprinted from the U.S. Department of Education's 2023 IPEDS Survey and reflect reported costs for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Iowa Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

62 results

Central College
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C
Pella, IA

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$20,988 Tuition

#10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,095enrollment
  • $22,499net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 935-1205SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

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Morningside College
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M
Sioux City, IA
 

Morningside College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$36,680 Tuition

 

  • 2,158enrollment
  • $23,482net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

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Mount Mercy University
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M
Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

$38,070 Tuition

 

  • 1,451enrollment
  • $23,972net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Des Moines Area Community College
D
Ankeny, IA
 

Des Moines Area Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

$5,550 Tuition

 

  • 24,418enrollment
  • $10,119net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Hawkeye Community College
H
Waterloo, IA
 

Hawkeye Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

$6,119 Tuition

 

  • 4,796enrollment
  • $9,308net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Buena Vista University
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B
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$40,190 Tuition

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,951enrollment
  • $18,156net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

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Clarke University
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C
Dubuque, IA
 

Clarke University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

$38,400 Tuition

#4 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,025enrollment
  • $25,692net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1045SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA

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Simpson College
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S
Indianola, IA

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

$45,306 Tuition

#6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,163enrollment
  • $23,637net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 890-1280SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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William Penn University
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W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$28,750 Tuition

#17 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,536enrollment
  • $22,361net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 830-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA

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Iowa Wesleyan College
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I
Mount Pleasant, IA

Iowa Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$33,550 Tuition

 

  • 871enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 830-1010SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

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Dordt College
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D
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$35,360 Tuition

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,929enrollment
  • $27,925net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

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Palmer College of Chiropractic Davenport
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P
Davenport, IA
 

Palmer College of Chiropractic Davenport

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$9,120 Tuition

 

  • 2,219enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Ellsworth Community College
E
Iowa Falls, IA
 

Ellsworth Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

$4,680 Tuition

 

  • 685enrollment
  • $10,219net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Briar Cliff University
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B
Sioux City, IA
 

Briar Cliff University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

$34,176 Tuition

 

  • 940enrollment
  • $23,292net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

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Indian Hills Community College
I
Ottumwa, IA
 

Indian Hills Community College

Public 2 Year

1 reviews

$4,872 Tuition

 

  • 3,236enrollment
  • $7,529net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Graceland University Lamoni
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G
Lamoni, IA
 

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$32,500 Tuition

#13 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,195enrollment
  • $16,632net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA

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Iowa Lakes Community College
I
Estherville, IA
 

Iowa Lakes Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

$6,464 Tuition

 

  • 2,024enrollment
  • $10,523net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Southeastern Community College
S
West Burlington, IA
 

Southeastern Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

$6,240 Tuition

 

  • 2,562enrollment
  • $9,924net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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