by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Iowa, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **16** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 16 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Allen College earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Iowa. Set in Waterloo, IA, Allen College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,787. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $82,049. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
Out of the 16 colleges in Iowa in this year's ranking, Drake University landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. About 73% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $56,228. Typical student debt is $22,273.
The strong outcomes at Dordt College earned it the #3 place in Iowa. Based in Sioux Center, IA, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Dordt College students take on a median of $21,812 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Northwest Iowa Community College earned it the #4 place in Iowa. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public school based in Sheldon, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Median early-career earnings reach $54,373. Students borrow a median of $12,271 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 16 colleges in Iowa in this year's ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the #5 spot. Des Moines Area Community College is a public school based in Ankeny, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Median early-career earnings reach $43,121. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete a degree here.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #6 among the best colleges in Iowa. Based in Mason City, IA, North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,466. Typical student debt is $12,043.
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $35,742. Typical student debt is $11,886.
Mercy College Of Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Des Moines, IA, Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,664. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,029 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $32,929.
Hawkeye Community College placed #9 among the best colleges in Iowa. Based in Waterloo, IA, Hawkeye Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Dodge, IA, Iowa Central Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans.
St Lukes College placed #11 among the best colleges in Iowa. Based in Sioux City, IA, St Lukes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,335. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,810. St Lukes College students take on a median of $24,042 in debt.
Kirkwood Community College placed #12 among the best colleges in Iowa. Kirkwood Community College is a public school based in Cedar Rapids, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,681. Kirkwood Community College students take on a median of $15,779 in debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public school based in Calmar, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $39,833. Students borrow a median of $14,348 to complete a degree here.
Indian Hills Community College placed #14 among the best colleges in Iowa. Indian Hills Community College is a public school based in Ottumwa, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,626. The median student debt is $15,390.
Iowa Western Community College placed #15 among the best colleges in Iowa. Based in Council Bluffs, IA, Iowa Western Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $15,153.
Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Estherville, IA, Iowa Lakes Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,937. Graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans.
Waldorf College placed #17 among the best colleges in Iowa. Based in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. Waldorf College posts a six-year graduation rate of 24%. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,346. Graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Ankeny, IA, Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,270. Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary graduates report median early-career earnings of $21,543.
Upper Iowa University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Fayette, IA, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,441 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $34,059.
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Southwestern Community College Creston is a public school based in Creston, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $46,106. The median student debt is $15,881.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #21 among the best colleges in Iowa. Located in Davenport, IA, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,510. Typical student debt is $15,995.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in West Burlington, IA, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,760. Southeastern Community College West Burlington students take on a median of $16,126 in debt.
Marshalltown Community College landed the #23 spot in Iowa this year. Marshalltown Community College is a public school based in Marshalltown, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,382. Marshalltown Community College students take on a median of $11,577 in debt.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Iowa Falls, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,503. Ellsworth Community College students take on a median of $17,062 in debt.
Hamilton Technical College did well this year, earning the #25 position. This private for-profit school is set in Davenport, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,600. Hamilton Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,647. Hamilton Technical College students take on a median of $18,163 in debt.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
