Best Colleges in Iowa of 2024

Grinnell College is a private institution situated in Grinnell, Iowa, and is the top liberal arts college in the state. Grinnell is known for having flexible curriculums that allow each student to personalize their study program with the help of an adviser. The only required class outside of major-specific courses is the First-Year Tutorial, which is designed to help students develop their writing, oral presentation, and discussion skills. The school offers 27 majors and 16 concentrations, ranging from biological chemistry to technology studies. Grinnell College places a strong emphasis on mentorship and experiential learning. Industry Treks, for example, send students around the country to explore major industries with groups of like-minded students. Grinnell is also well-known for its social activism as it sends many volunteers to the Peace Corps.

Iowa State University is a public research university that offers a well-rounded experience for students interested in pursuing any variety of programs. Although the school resides in the small town of Ames, its 1,813-acre campus makes it the third-largest college in the state. Iowa State offers more than 100 undergraduate majors housed under six undergraduate colleges, and advisors work with students to ensure they graduate in four years as part of the school's "Soar in 4" initiative. The school is also a land-grant institution, meaning students and faculty alike work on projects with the goal of bettering the community. Iowa State University is a top choice for students who value athletics as the Iowa State Cyclones compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference. Students can also choose from more than 850 student organizations and 60 fraternities and sororities.

The University of Iowa is a highly ranked public university based in Iowa City. It is the oldest and second-largest college in the state, and the school offers more than 200 majors, minors, certificate programs, and graduate degrees through 11 colleges. This includes disciplines such as dentistry, liberal arts, public health, and business. The University of Iowa is a prime destination for aspiring writers as it's home to many different writing programs, including the Iowa Writers' Workshop, a nonfiction writing program, the Iowa Playwrights Workshop, and a screenwriting workshop. Home to seven U.S. Poets Laureate, several award-winning playwrights and novelists, and more than 40 Pulitzer Prize winners, the University of Iowa has an extensive history of producing successful writers.

The University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls. The university offers high-quality on-campus housing, an exceptional wellness center and recreation facility, sororities and fraternities, plenty of on-campus activities, and study abroad opportunities. With a cost per credit hour of $320 for in-state students and an average annual in-state cost of $9,411, the University of Northern Iowa is more affordable than most other options in the state. The college offers over 90 undergraduate majors and 50 graduate programs, and its teacher education program produces more than 450 new educators every year. For distance learners, the University of Northern Iowa offers 16 fully online programs and 19 hybrid programs.

Drake University is a private institution in Des Moine that gives students access to all the activities and amenities offered by city life. Students at Drake enjoy high-quality student housing, 160 student clubs and organizations, intramural sports, and other on-campus activities. Students have their choice of more than 100 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations, and students who require a flexible learning schedule can participate in Drake's fully online bachelor's and master's programs. With 98.8% of students finding employment within six months of graduation, Drake has a proven history of setting its alumni up for success. Drake University provides some of the best financial aid in Iowa, with 100% of full-time, undergraduate students admitted directly from high school receiving a Presidential Scholarship. Presidential Scholarships range from $24,000 to $27,000 per year and are renewable for four years or until a bachelor's degree is earned.

Luther College is a private liberal arts institution with a strong affiliation to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Although the school's worship is rooted in the Lutheran Christian tradition, it is open to students from other backgrounds and denominations. Lutheran College encourages students to become active in the many churches located throughout the community, and students can attend the on-campus Center for Faith and Life to participate in worship events. Students can choose from a variety of majors and minors, including common programs like accounting and anthropology or more unique programs like identity studies and Nordic studies. The school also offers several pre-professional programs, such as pre-dentistry, pre-ministry, and pre-law. For a more personalized curriculum, students can combine two or more related disciplines into an interdisciplinary major.

Coe College is a private liberal arts university with connections to the Presbyterian Church. Based in Cedar Rapids, the school's 70-acre campus has high-quality student housing, several fraternities and sororities, a large student-run writing center, and plenty of student clubs and organizations. Coe College offers over 60 undergraduate programs alongside several pre-professional programs like pre-actuarial science, pre-law, and pre-medicine. The university is one of the best options in Iowa for students interested in pursuing internships. All students are guaranteed an internship, research project, or off-campus study experience before graduation. There are thousands of internship and job opportunities available in the Cedar Rapids area, including three medical centers that offer internships within walking distance of the Coe College campus.