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Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa

2023 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa

23 Schools Ranked
$36,745 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Iowa to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
831 Total Awards
$49,944 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Drake University to be the best school for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Iowa. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 831 bachelor’s degree awards in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $49,944 to cover tuition and fees at Drake. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#2

Grinnell College

Grinnell, Iowa
528 Total Awards
$64,862 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Grinnell College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Iowa. Grinnell, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 528 students in .

The average tuition and fees at Grinnell is $64,862. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

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#3

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
281 Total Awards
$35,300 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 23 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Orange City, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 281 bachelor’s degree awards in .

If you want to attend NWC, expect to pay an average of $35,300 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#4

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
6,467 Total Awards
$10,497 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Ames, Iowa, the large public school awarded 6,467 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Iowa State is $10,497. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $27,683.

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#5

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
2,302 Total Awards
$9,728 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Northern Iowa is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 2,302 bachelor’s degrees in .

Students from Iowa who attend UNI full time pay an average of $9,728 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $21,272.

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#6

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa
345 Total Awards
$46,212 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Simpson College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Indianola, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 345 students in .

The average tuition and fees at Simpson College is $46,212. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

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#7

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
5,766 Total Awards
$10,964 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Iowa landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. University of Iowa is a large public school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 5,766 bachelor’s degrees in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Iowa is $10,964. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $32,927.

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#8

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa
402 Total Awards
$51,040 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Wartburg College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Waverly, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 402 students in .

If you want to attend Wartburg, expect to pay an average of $51,040 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#9

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
442 Total Awards
$50,320 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Luther College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Decorah, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 442 bachelor’s degree awards in .

The average tuition and fees at Luther is $50,320. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

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#10

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa
404 Total Awards
$38,298 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Loras College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 404 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

If you want to attend Loras, expect to pay an average of $38,298 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#11

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
640 Total Awards
$25,220 Average Tuition & Fees

Waldorf University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Forest City, Iowa, the small private for-profit school awarded 640 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

If you want to attend Waldorf, expect to pay an average of $25,220 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#12

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
746 Total Awards
$19,000 Average Tuition & Fees

Upper Iowa University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Upper Iowa University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Fayette, Iowa that handed out 746 bachelor’s degrees in .

UIU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $19,000. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#13

Morningside College

Sioux City, Iowa
297 Total Awards
$38,190 Average Tuition & Fees

Morningside College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Morningside is located in Sioux City, Iowa and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 297 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Morningside does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $38,190. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#14

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
227 Total Awards
$50,634 Average Tuition & Fees

Cornell College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 227 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

Cornell College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $50,634. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#15

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa
389 Total Awards
$35,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Dordt University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Dordt University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Sioux Center, Iowa that handed out 389 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you want to attend Dordt, expect to pay an average of $35,960 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#16

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
631 Total Awards
$35,598 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Ambrose University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 631 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you want to attend St. Ambrose University, expect to pay an average of $35,598 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#17

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa
465 Total Awards

With a ranking of #17, Buena Vista University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Storm Lake, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 465 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

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#18

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
341 Total Awards
$52,576 Average Tuition & Fees

Coe College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 341 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in .

The average tuition and fees at Coe is $52,576. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

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#19

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
440 Total Awards
$33,450 Average Tuition & Fees

Grand View University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 440 students in .

Grand View University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $33,450. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#20

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
369 Total Awards
$39,070 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Mount Mercy University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Mount Mercy is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 369 bachelor’s degrees in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $39,070 to cover tuition and fees at Mount Mercy. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#21

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
330 Total Awards
$40,065 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Dubuque did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 330 bachelor’s degree awards in .

UD does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $40,065. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#22

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa
144 Total Awards
$34,727 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, Briar Cliff University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Briar Cliff is located in Sioux City, Iowa and has a very small student population. In , this school awarded 144 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $34,727 to cover tuition and fees at Briar Cliff. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#23

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, Iowa
294 Total Awards

William Penn University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree programs. William Penn University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 294 bachelor’s degrees in .

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Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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