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Lists / Top 10 Colleges in Iowa

Top 10 Colleges in Iowa

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Created by College Confidential

From small liberal arts schools like Grinnell to The University of Iowa, these colleges are the best the state of Iowa has to offer in 2022. See our list below for further information on each school, which includes top-ranked and popular schools including Cornell College, Drake University, Grinnell College and more!

1. Grinnell College

  • 1st
    Grinnell College
    Grinnell, IA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $64,862
    Out-of-State
    $64,862
    Acceptance Rate11%

    • Grinnell is a private liberal arts college that was founded in 1846. The 120-acre campus has several spots that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, plus state-of-the-art student center and athletics facilities. Grinnell is known for top-notch academics and a commitment to social justice.

    Grinnell is considered on of the ten best value schools in the U.S. The College's large endowment allows it to offer need-blind admissions and significant merit scholarships to accepted students.

    It tied with Vassar for #13 Best Liberal Arts College in 2021.

    2. The University of Iowa

  • 2nd
    The University of Iowa
    Iowa City, IA • 4-Year, Public
    In-State
    $12,606
    Out-of-State
    $34,569
    Acceptance Rate86%

    • UIowa is a public research university in Iowa City, and the states oldest university. The 1,880-acre campus is an urban setting, the banks of the Iowa River. Iowa is a Big 10 school and the Hawkeyes are Division I members of the NCAA. The university is also a member of the Association of American Universities and the Universities Research Association.

    In 2021, the University of Iowa was ranked 88th for national universities. It tied for 34th among public universities with several other schools including Colorado School of the Mines, SUNY Binghamton, Stonybrook and Buffalo, and University of California Riverside.

    3. Drake University

  • 3rd
    Drake University
    Des Moines, IA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $50,114
    Out-of-State
    $50,114
    Acceptance Rate67%

    • Drake University is mid-sized private university that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Drake offers D1 athletics and over a 160 student organizations for over 5000 students.

    4. Iowa State University of Science and Technology

  • 4th
    In-State
    $10,133
    Out-of-State
    $26,617
    Acceptance Rate90%

    • 5. Luther College

  • 5th
    Luther College
    Decorah, IA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $50,320
    Out-of-State
    $50,320
    Acceptance Rate75%

    • 6. Cornell College

  • 6th
    Cornell College
    Mount Vernon, IA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $50,634
    Out-of-State
    $50,634
    Acceptance Rate79%

    • 7. Clarke University

  • 7th
    Clarke University
    Dubuque, IA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $39,600
    Out-of-State
    $39,600
    Acceptance RateN.A.

    • 8. Coe College

  • 8th
    Coe College
    Cedar Rapids, IA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $52,576
    Out-of-State
    $52,576
    Acceptance Rate72%

    • 9. Central College

  • 9th
    Central College
    Pella, IA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $20,988
    Out-of-State
    $20,988
    Acceptance Rate79%

    • 10. Simpson College

  • 10th
    Simpson College
    Indianola, IA • 4-Year, Private
    In-State
    $46,212
    Out-of-State
    $46,212
    Acceptance Rate89%

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