by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 73 colleges by economic diversity in Iowa, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). To help you decide, College Factual reviewed 73 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Diversity means different things to different students. Refine the list by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Learn more about these economically diverse colleges below:
No school ranked more economically diverse than Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary this year in Iowa. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 33.2, with a gender-diversity score of 99.8.
Graceland University-Lamoni earned the #2 place in Iowa. Graceland University-Lamoni scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 69.4, with a gender-diversity score of 99.7.
St Luke's College earned the #3 place in Iowa. St Luke's College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 48.8, with a gender-diversity score of 35.0.
Southwestern Community College earned the #4 place in Iowa. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 30.3, with a gender-diversity score of 95.5.
A rank of #5 makes William Penn University one of the most economically diverse colleges in Iowa. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 63.1, and gender diversity 100.0.
Capri College, Cedar Rapids placed #6 among the most economically diverse colleges in Iowa. Capri College, Cedar Rapids scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 32.5, and gender diversity 21.8.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #7 position in Iowa. It scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 44.0, and gender diversity 99.7.
Marshalltown Community College landed the #8 spot in Iowa this year. The school's economic diversity score is 99.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 59.5, and gender diversity 97.6.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. Eastern Iowa Community College District scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 48.2, alongside a 97.6 gender-diversity score.
Southeastern Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 99.7 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 53.7, alongside a 96.8 gender-diversity score.
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #11 spot in Iowa this year. It scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 58.0, and gender diversity 95.8.
Buena Vista University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 99.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 35.1, and gender diversity 85.4.
Capri College, Dubuque ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 99.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 28.4, alongside a 14.3 gender-diversity score.
Emmaus Bible College landed the #14 spot in Iowa this year. Emmaus Bible College scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 48.0, with a gender-diversity score of 99.9.
Grand View University placed #15 among the most economically diverse colleges in Iowa. It scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 63.4, alongside a 98.5 gender-diversity score.
Iowa Central Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 99.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 62.9, with a gender-diversity score of 99.4.
Carlson College of Massage Therapy came in at #17 in this year's ranking. On economic diversity, it scores 99.3 out of 100.
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology landed the #18 spot in Iowa this year. It scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Ellsworth Community College placed #19 among the most economically diverse colleges in Iowa. The school's economic diversity score is 99.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 50.2, with a gender-diversity score of 99.5.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. On economic diversity, it scores 99.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 62.5, and gender diversity 100.0.
Maharishi International University earned the #21 position in Iowa. Maharishi International University scores 98.6 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 73.4, and gender diversity 99.4.
Northeast Iowa Community College landed the #22 spot in Iowa this year. The school's economic diversity score is 98.6 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 25.9, alongside a 97.3 gender-diversity score.
The Salon Professional Academy placed #23 among the most economically diverse colleges in Iowa. On economic diversity, it scores 98.6 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 55.4, alongside a 88.4 gender-diversity score.
Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake landed the #24 spot in Iowa this year. On economic diversity, it scores 98.2 out of 100.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #25 spot in Iowa this year. It scores 97.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 41.3, with a gender-diversity score of 97.7.
These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). The racial-ethnic minorities percentage is calculated by taking the total number of students, subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity is unknown, and dividing by total enrollment.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
