Iowa is home to some of the most intellectually distinguished institutions in the Midwest. The University of Iowa — an AAU member and home to the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, the most celebrated creative writing program in the world with 17 Pulitzer Prize winners — leads alongside Iowa State University, where the first electronic digital computer was invented in 1939, and distinctive liberal arts colleges including Grinnell, Cornell College (One Course At A Time!), and Luther College.
Best Universities in Iowa 2026
Wartburg College
Location: Waverly | Type: Private | Founded: 1852 | Tuition: $41,320/yr
Wartburg College is a private ELCA Lutheran liberal arts college founded in 1852 in Waverly, Iowa, named after the Wartburg Castle in Germany where Martin Luther translated the New Testament. Consistently ranked among the top Midwest liberal arts colleges, Wartburg enrolls 1,500 students and is…
Programs: Business & Finance, Education, Journalism & Media, Liberal Arts
Loras College
Location: Dubuque | Type: Private | Founded: 1839 | Tuition: $32,820/yr
Loras College is a private Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque liberal arts college founded in 1839 in Dubuque, Iowa — the oldest Catholic college in Iowa. Enrolling 1,500 students on stunning Mississippi River bluffs, Loras is known for business, education, social work, and sports management programs…
Programs: Business & Finance, Education, Liberal Arts, Social Work & Humanities
Coe College
Location: Cedar Rapids | Type: Private | Founded: 1851 | Tuition: $42,900/yr
Coe College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1851 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Consistently ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges nationally, Coe enrolls 1,400 students and requires every student to complete a Practicum — a professional internship, study abroad experience, or…
Programs: Arts & Design, Business & Finance, Liberal Arts, Medicine & Health Sciences
University of Northern Iowa
Location: Cedar Falls | Type: Public | Founded: 1876 | Tuition: $9,488/yr
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a public university founded in 1876 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Consistently ranked among the top regional universities in the Midwest, UNI enrolls 10,000 students and is particularly known for education (one of the top teacher preparation programs in…
Programs: Business & Finance, Education, Liberal Arts, Music & Performing Arts
Luther College
Location: Decorah | Type: Private | Founded: 1861 | Tuition: $46,160/yr
Luther College is a private ELCA Lutheran liberal arts college founded in 1861 in Decorah, Iowa, in the scenic Driftless Area of Northeast Iowa. Consistently ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges nationally, Luther enrolls 2,000 students and is renowned for the Luther College…
Programs: Agriculture & Environment, Business & Finance, Liberal Arts, Medicine & Health Sciences
Cornell College
Location: Mount Vernon | Type: Private | Founded: 1853 | Tuition: $43,670/yr
Cornell College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1853 in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The only liberal arts college in the United States that operates entirely on the One Course At A Time (OCAAT) block plan — students take one course for 18 intensive…
Programs: Agriculture & Environment, Business & Finance, Engineering, Liberal Arts
Grinnell College
Location: Grinnell | Type: Private | Founded: 1846 | Tuition: $62,792/yr
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1846 in Grinnell, Iowa. Consistently ranked among the top 15 liberal arts colleges in the United States, Grinnell enrolls 1,800 students and is particularly notable for three things: an almost completely open curriculum (no distribution…
Programs: Agriculture & Environment, Business & Finance, Engineering, Liberal Arts
Drake University
Location: Des Moines | Type: Private | Founded: 1881 | Tuition: $42,400/yr
Drake University is a private university founded in 1881 in Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa’s capital and largest city. Enrolling 5,000 students, Drake is known for law (Drake Law School — the oldest law school in Iowa and one of the top in the Midwest),…
Programs: Agriculture & Environment, Business & Finance, Education, Engineering
Top Community Colleges in Iowa 2026
Community colleges in Iowa offer affordable pathways with transfer agreements to all major state universities.
- Hawkeye Community College — Waterloo
- Iowa Western Community College — Council Bluffs
- Kirkwood Community College — Cedar Rapids
- Des Moines Area Community College — Ankeny
How to Choose a University in Iowa
Consider your major, tuition, accreditations, location, and career outcomes. Compare financial aid packages and visit campuses.
- Tuition: Compare in-state vs out-of-state rates and financial aid generosity.
- Accreditation: AACSB (business), ABET (engineering), CCNE (nursing).
- Location: Proximity to employers and internship opportunities.
- Campus Culture: Visit to find the right environment.
Iowa’s universities produce exceptional graduates across engineering, agriculture, business, journalism, and the arts. The state’s strong agricultural economy, growing healthcare sector, and emerging tech corridor provide solid career foundations for Iowa graduates entering a competitive job market.
Browse our complete Iowa university directory.
Comments