Best Iowa Colleges
Iowa has 20 ranked four-year colleges, part of our national best colleges ranking. Rankings weigh admission scores, graduation rates, and selectivity using statistical data, not editorial picks.
Leading our 2027 rankings is Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, topping our list in Iowa. The top rated public university is University of Iowa. Also highly ranked: Drake University, University of Iowa and Luther College.
Compare tuition, acceptance rates, and enrollment across the colleges below. See how rankings are calculated on our methodology page. Sort by tuition, acceptance rate, or enrollment to find the school that fits you.
William Penn University
- Private 4 Year
- Oskaloosa, IA
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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
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