2026 Best Computer Science Schools in Iowa
Computer Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for computer science students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Computer Science in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall computer science education in Iowa.
Top Schools in Computer Science
Our analysis ranked Grinnell College the best school in the country for a degree in computer science. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 computer science degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $84,449 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete this degree.
Read more about the computer science program at Grinnell College
Students looking for a strong computer science program will find one at Iowa State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 185 computer science degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $78,517. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $24,663 in student loans.
Get the full computer science details for Iowa State University
Students looking for a strong computer science program will find one at Saint Ambrose University, which ranked #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Davenport. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 10 computer science degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $57,252 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,528.
Read more about the computer science program at Saint Ambrose University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Iowa one of the top schools for computer science. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree.
Read more about the computer science program at University Of Iowa
Cornell College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 10 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Cornell College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $35,545 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full computer science details for Cornell College
Simpson College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Indianola. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Simpson College awarded about 11 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $70,950 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full computer science details for Simpson College
Maharishi University Of Management landed the #7 spot for computer science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Fairfield. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 416 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Maharishi University Of Management in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $114,993 in their early career.
Get the full computer science details for Maharishi University Of Management
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #8 position for computer science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 30 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $65,960 in their early career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,200 in student loans.
Read more about the computer science program at University Of Northern Iowa
More Computer Science Rankings
View All Computer Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
