by our College Data Analytics TeamDrake University ranks #1 of 34 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’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 63% six-year graduation rate and $63,338 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. Our ranking highlights **34** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 34 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.
Drake University leads the 34 ranked colleges in Iowa, followed by University Of Iowa (#2) and Iowa State University (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found Drake University to be the best college in Iowa. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,228. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at University Of Iowa earned it the #2 place in Iowa. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $57,375. University Of Iowa students take on a median of $24,463 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Iowa State University earned it the #3 place in Iowa. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,204. Iowa State University students take on a median of $23,496 in debt.
A rank of #4 makes Grinnell College one of the top colleges in Iowa. Set in Grinnell, IA, Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Early-career graduates earn a median of $38,888. Grinnell College students take on a median of $17,154 in debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the top colleges in Iowa. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,054. University Of Northern Iowa students take on a median of $22,635 in debt.
Luther College placed #6 among the best colleges in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Decorah, IA. Luther College posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $42,426. Typical student debt is $26,967.
Wartburg College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Waverly, IA, Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,918. Typical student debt is $26,793.
Simpson College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Indianola, IA, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,888. Students borrow a median of $26,816 to complete a degree here.
Central College placed #9 among the best colleges in Iowa. Set in Pella, IA, Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Central College posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,988. Median early-career earnings reach $39,953. Typical student debt is $26,750.
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Orange City, IA, Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Northwestern College Iowa graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,845. Northwestern College Iowa students take on a median of $25,415 in debt.
Coe College landed the #11 spot in Iowa this year. Located in Cedar Rapids, IA, Coe College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,666. Median early-career earnings reach $44,511. Graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans.
Dordt College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located 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 run about $37,050. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,926. Typical student debt is $21,812.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Davenport, IA. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,658. Median early-career earnings reach $57,252. Saint Ambrose University students take on a median of $27,528 in debt.
Loras College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Dubuque, IA, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,117. The median student debt is $26,528.
Mount Mercy University did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cedar Rapids, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,878. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,431. Mount Mercy University students take on a median of $27,709 in debt.
Morningside College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Sioux City, IA, Morningside College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Morningside College graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,988. Students borrow a median of $27,281 to complete a degree here.
Allen College landed the #17 spot in Iowa this year. Based in Waterloo, IA, Allen College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,787. Allen College graduates report median early-career earnings of $82,049. The median student debt is $31,000.
Cornell College placed #18 among the best colleges in Iowa. Set in Mount Vernon, IA, Cornell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell College posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $35,545. The median student debt is $27,000.
Grand View University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Des Moines, IA, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,762. Grand View University graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,180. Grand View University students take on a median of $26,941 in debt.
Clarke University placed #20 among the best colleges in Iowa. Clarke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dubuque, IA. About 56% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,910. Early-career graduates earn a median of $53,450. Typical student debt is $26,895.
Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport landed the #21 spot in Iowa this year. Set in Davenport, IA, Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,760 in tuition and fees. Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,093.
Briar Cliff University landed the #22 spot in Iowa this year. Based in Sioux City, IA, Briar Cliff University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $61,105. Briar Cliff University students take on a median of $29,918 in debt.
Waldorf College placed #23 among the best colleges in Iowa. Located in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Waldorf College graduates 24% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $63,346. Students borrow a median of $24,622 to complete a degree here.
Mercy College Of Health Sciences ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,664. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,029 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $32,929.
Buena Vista University landed the #25 spot in Iowa this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Storm Lake, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,780. Students borrow a median of $29,317 to complete a degree here.
These 9 colleges rank #26 through #34 of 34 in Iowa. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
