Best Value Iowa Colleges
Iowa has 20 colleges ranked by value, part of our national best value ranking. We weigh academic quality against average net price so you find schools that deliver strong results without overpaying.
Wartburg College offers the best value in Iowa for 2027 with a 6 out of 10 academic rating and an average net price of $24,031. The top value public university is Iowa State University. Also high value: Grinnell College, Coe College and Luther College.
Compare net price, aid, and academic ratings across the colleges below. See how value scores are calculated on our methodology page. Sort by net price, acceptance rate, or academic rating to find the best deal for your budget.
Upper Iowa University
- Private 4 Year
- Fayette, IA
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| 0 reviews
Upper Iowa is a private university known for undergraduate business, education, and human services. The residential campus sits in the small town of Fayette in northeast Iowa.
- SAT Range 970-1160
- Avg GPA 3.34
- Acceptance Rate 96%
- Net Price $20,426
William Penn University
- Private 4 Year
- Oskaloosa, IA
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| 0 reviews
William Penn is a private Quaker-affiliated university known for undergraduate teacher education and business. Most undergrads live on the residential campus in the small town of Oskaloosa.
- SAT Range 880-1110
- Avg GPA 3.0
- Acceptance Rate 52%
- Net Price $22,740