by our College Data Analytics TeamDrake University ranks #1 of 25 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Iowa ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 56% six-year graduation rate and $56,108 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Iowa, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **25** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 25 colleges across over 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.
Drake University leads the 25 ranked colleges in Iowa, followed by Dordt College (#2) and Allen College (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is Drake University, our #1 college in Iowa. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school based in Des Moines, IA. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Median early-career earnings reach $56,228. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
Out of the 25 colleges in Iowa in this year's ranking, Dordt College landed the #2 spot. Set in Sioux Center, IA, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $21,812.
A rank of #3 makes Allen College one of the top colleges in Iowa. Located in Waterloo, IA, Allen College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $24,787. Allen College graduates report median early-career earnings of $82,049. Typical student debt is $31,000.
A rank of #4 makes Northwest Iowa Community College one of the top colleges 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,373. Typical student debt is $12,271.
Out of the 25 colleges in Iowa in this year's ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the #5 spot. Set in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,121. The median student debt is $14,956.
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #6 among the best colleges in Iowa. Based in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Median early-career earnings reach $35,742. Graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. North Iowa Area Community College is a public school based in Mason City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,466. North Iowa Area Community College students take on a median of $12,043 in debt.
Kirkwood Community College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Cedar Rapids, IA, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Kirkwood Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,681. The median student debt is $15,779.
Mercy College Of Health Sciences landed the #9 spot in Iowa this year. Set in Des Moines, IA, Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $17,664 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $62,029. Students borrow a median of $32,929 to complete a degree here.
Upper Iowa University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Fayette, IA, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. Upper Iowa University posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,475. Median early-career earnings reach $51,441. Graduates carry a median of $34,059 in student loans.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Calmar, IA, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,833 early in their careers. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar students take on a median of $14,348 in debt.
Hawkeye Community College placed #12 among the best colleges in Iowa. This public school is set in Waterloo, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,902. The median student debt is $17,001.
Indian Hills Community College placed #13 among the best colleges in Iowa. Set in Ottumwa, IA, Indian Hills Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Indian Hills Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,626. Typical student debt is $15,390.
Iowa Central Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Iowa Central Community College is a public school based in Fort Dodge, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,624. Graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans.
Iowa Western Community College placed #15 among the best colleges in Iowa. Set in Council Bluffs, IA, Iowa Western Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans.
St Lukes College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux City, IA. Students from in state pay about $23,335 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,810. Students borrow a median of $24,042 to complete a degree here.
Waldorf College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 24% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans.
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary ranked #18 on our 2027 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. Median early-career earnings reach $21,543.
Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Estherville, IA, Iowa Lakes Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Creston, IA, Southwestern Community College Creston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,106. The median student debt is $15,881.
Marshalltown Community College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Marshalltown Community College is a public school based in Marshalltown, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,382. Graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #22 among the best colleges in Iowa. This public school is set in Davenport, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Eastern Iowa Community College District graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,510. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete a degree here.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #23 spot in Iowa this year. Based in West Burlington, IA, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans.
Ellsworth Community College placed #24 among the best colleges in Iowa. This public school is set in Iowa Falls, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,503. The median student debt is $17,062.
Hamilton Technical College placed #25 among the best colleges in Iowa. Set in Davenport, IA, Hamilton Technical College is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,600 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,647 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $18,163 in student loans.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs 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.
