2027 Best Education Schools in Iowa
Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their education programs.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best education schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Education in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall education education in Iowa.
Top Schools in Education
Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in education. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 252 education students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Drake University earn around $58,212 in the first couple years of their career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full education program report for Drake University
University Of Iowa came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 316 education degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $47,732 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,239 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Iowa
Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 296 education degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $46,781 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,717 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Iowa State University
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 646 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $52,064 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,008 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for University Of Northern Iowa
Students looking for a strong education program will find one at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #5. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. About 108 education degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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Grand View University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Grand View University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 65 education degrees were awarded at Grand View University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $46,547 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Northwestern College Iowa placed #7 among the best education schools. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 335 education degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent year. Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $53,509 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,995.
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Dordt College placed #8 among the best education schools. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dordt College awarded about 112 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $53,831 early in their careers. Dordt College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Dordt College
Morningside College landed the #9 spot for education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux City. Morningside College graduates 50% of students within six years. Morningside College awarded about 277 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $52,407. Students borrow a median of $27,880 to complete this degree.
Get the full education details for Morningside College
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #10 for education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. There were roughly 109 education students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete this degree.
Get the full education details for Des Moines Area Community College
Cornell College landed the #11 spot for education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Mount Vernon. About 62% of students finish within six years. Cornell College awarded about 29 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $42,756 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Cornell College
Luther College landed the #12 spot for education this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 education students who graduated with this degree at Luther College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $45,691 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Luther College
Buena Vista University landed the #13 spot for education this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Buena Vista University awarded about 303 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Buena Vista University earn around $43,994 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,561 to complete this degree.
Get the full education details for Buena Vista University
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #14 spot for education this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. There were roughly 49 education students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Community College Creston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at Southwestern Community College Creston
Iowa Western Community College earned the #15 position for education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. There were roughly 24 education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. Typical student debt for the program is $15,153.
See the full education program report for Iowa Western Community College
Coe College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 14 education degrees were awarded at Coe College in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $44,511 in their early career. Coe College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from Coe College
Wartburg College landed the #17 spot for education this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. Wartburg College awarded about 41 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Wartburg College graduates carry a median of $26,851 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from Wartburg College
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #18 spot for education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mason City. North Iowa Area Community College awarded about 87 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. North Iowa Area Community College graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans.
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Central College landed the #19 spot for education this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 education degrees were awarded at Central College in the most recent year. Education graduates of Central College earn a median of $44,000 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the education program at Central College
Iowa Central Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Iowa Central Community College awarded about 18 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,135.
Read more about the education program at Iowa Central Community College
Indian Hills Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. About 23 education degrees were awarded at Indian Hills Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Indian Hills Community College
Hawkeye Community College earned the #22 position for education this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Hawkeye Community College awarded about 10 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $41,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from Hawkeye Community College
Simpson College landed the #23 spot for education this year. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. About 63% of students finish within six years. Simpson College awarded about 27 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Simpson College earn around $44,476 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the education program at Simpson College
Mount Mercy University came in at #24 for education this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 45 education degrees were awarded at Mount Mercy University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $43,824. Mount Mercy University graduates carry a median of $30,687 in student loans.
Get the full education details for Mount Mercy University
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of West Burlington. About 52 education degrees were awarded at Southeastern Community College West Burlington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Southeastern Community College West Burlington graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Southeastern Community College West Burlington
Rest of the Top 36 Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong education education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 36 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.
