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State Overview

Colleges in Iowa: 28 Ranked by Earnings, Tuition & Graduation Rate

Every college in Iowa with verified College Scorecard data, ranked three ways below: by graduate earnings, by in-state tuition and by graduation rate. 32 institutions in total.

Institutions

32

Avg In-State Tuition

$33,034

Avg Out-of-State

$34,669

Avg Earnings

$47,503

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Quick answer

According to College Scorecard data on CollegeFactbook.com, Iowa has 32 degree-granting colleges and universities with average in-state tuition of $33,034 and average graduate earnings of $47,503 ten years after entry.

State Overview

Iowa has 32 higher education institutions. The average in-state tuition is $33,033.61, while the average out-of-state tuition is $34,668.87. The average graduate earnings for students in Iowa is $47,502.71.

The data suggests a relatively consistent cost structure for higher education in Iowa, with a modest difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. The average graduate earnings indicate a potential return on investment for students pursuing higher education in the state.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

Schools by Type

Popular Majors in Iowa

Business Administration, Management and Operations

2,904 graduates

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

1,663 graduates

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

1,486 graduates

Health and Physical Education/Fitness

1,423 graduates

Psychology, General

1,285 graduates

Finance and Financial Management Services

1,075 graduates

Biology, General

917 graduates

Marketing

912 graduates

Accounting and Related Services

895 graduates

Computer and Information Sciences, General

635 graduates

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

623 graduates

Mechanical Engineering

607 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations Salary Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Salary Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Salary

Cost Comparison

IA Avg In-State $33,034
IA Avg Out-of-State $34,669

Cost Analysis

Iowa's average in-state tuition of $33,034 compares to an average out-of-state tuition of $34,669. The average graduate from a Iowa institution earns $47,503 within 5 years of graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 32 colleges and universities in Iowa, including public, private non-profit, and for-profit institutions.

Best Colleges in Iowa, Ranked by Data

Three orderings of the same 28 colleges, straight from College Scorecard: who earns most after graduating, who charges least in-state, and who graduates the largest share. No editorial weighting.

Best colleges in Iowa by graduate earnings

  1. 1 Drake University $58,233 median, 5 yrs · Des Moines
  2. 2 Iowa State University $53,873 median, 5 yrs · Ames
  3. 3 Mercy College of Health Sciences $53,375 median, 5 yrs · Des Moines
  4. 4 Mount Mercy University $52,871 median, 5 yrs · Cedar Rapids
  5. 5 University of Iowa $52,696 median, 5 yrs · Iowa City
  6. 6 Saint Ambrose University $51,616 median, 5 yrs · Davenport
  7. 7 Dordt University $50,551 median, 5 yrs · Sioux Center
  8. 8 Waldorf University $50,515 median, 5 yrs · Forest City
  9. 9 Simpson College $49,946 median, 5 yrs · Indianola
  10. 10 Luther College $49,541 median, 5 yrs · Decorah

Cheapest colleges in Iowa by in-state tuition

  1. 1 University of Northern Iowa $9,728 / year · Cedar Falls
  2. 2 Iowa State University $10,497 / year · Ames
  3. 3 University of Iowa $10,964 / year · Iowa City
  4. 4 Maharishi International University $16,530 / year · Fairfield
  5. 5 Mercy College of Health Sciences $17,328 / year · Des Moines
  6. 6 Upper Iowa University $19,000 / year · Fayette
  7. 7 Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary $19,530 / year · Ankeny
  8. 8 Central College $20,988 / year · Pella
  9. 9 Waldorf University $25,220 / year · Forest City
  10. 10 William Penn University $28,750 / year · Oskaloosa

Best colleges in Iowa by graduation rate

  1. 1 Grinnell College 88 % graduate · Grinnell
  2. 2 Drake University 77 % graduate · Des Moines
  3. 3 Iowa State University 75 % graduate · Ames
  4. 4 Luther College 75 % graduate · Decorah
  5. 5 University of Iowa 73 % graduate · Iowa City
  6. 6 Central College 70 % graduate · Pella
  7. 7 Loras College 69 % graduate · Dubuque
  8. 8 Cornell College 68 % graduate · Mount Vernon
  9. 9 Wartburg College 67 % graduate · Waverly
  10. 10 University of Northern Iowa 66 % graduate · Cedar Falls

National rankings: highest earning · most affordable · best graduation rate · best ROI.