2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa

1

Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Leading the list is Grinnell College, our #1 school for social sciences. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 social sciences degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Grinnell College earn around $41,426 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,931 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Grinnell College

2

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #2. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 social sciences degrees were awarded at Wartburg College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Wartburg College graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Wartburg College

3

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #3. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 380 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $42,509 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Iowa

4

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 91 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $43,533 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,939 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Northern Iowa

5

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 124 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $38,195 in their early career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $24,504 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Iowa State University

6

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #6 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 73% of students finish within six years. Drake University awarded about 42 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Drake University earn around $56,228 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,138. Get the full social sciences details for Drake University

7

Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College earned the #7 position for social sciences this year. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Simpson College awarded about 15 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $48,888 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,816 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Simpson College

8

William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University earned the #8 position for social sciences this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Oskaloosa. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at William Penn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $39,727. Typical student debt for the program is $28,963. See the full social sciences program report for William Penn University

9

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. There were roughly 56 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Upper Iowa University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Upper Iowa University earn around $54,916 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,843 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Upper Iowa University