Source: Flickr user derekbruff.
Known for its pivotal role in our nation’s agriculture production, the state of Iowa has more to offer than just corn and soybeans. The state is known for having a strong public education system, with its three regent universities (University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa) students from around the country travel to Iowa for Big 10 and Big 12 athletics, as well as highly-regarded academic programs of all types.
In addition to the well-known state schools, Iowa has nearly 40 colleges and universities in total. Of those, both Grinnell College and Drake University are highly-ranked private colleges.
From small, private liberal arts colleges to large public universities, the state of Iowa offers a range of college options for students both in and out of state.
Here are all 38 top universities ranking in the state of Iowa:
| State Ranking | National Ranking | College | Location | Undergrad Enrollment | 4-Year Grad Rate | 6-Year Grad Rate | Freshman Retention Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50 | Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1,734 | 86% | 90% | 94% |
| 2 | 184 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 22,354 | 47% | 70% | 86% |
| 3 | 215 | Drake University | Des Moines, IA | 3,364 | 64% | 72% | 89% |
| 4 | 221 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 28,893 | 39% | 71% | 86% |
| 5 | 289 | Luther College | Decorah, IA | 2,385 | 68% | 77% | 85% |
| 6 | 309 | Cornell College | Mount Vernon, IA | 1,086 | 66% | 71% | 83% |
| 7 | 335 | University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 10,142 | 38% | 66% | 85% |
| 8 | 425 | Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1,660 | 58% | 67% | 82% |
| 9 | 431 | Dordt College | Sioux Center, IA | 1,399 | 63% | 65% | 84% |
| 10 | 437 | Coe College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,435 | 59% | 68% | 78% |
| 11 | 538 | Central College | Pella, IA | 1,411 | 62% | 69% | 78% |
| 12 | 578 | Loras College | Dubuque, IA | 1,490 | 51% | 66% | 81% |
| 13 | 611 | Northwestern College | Orange City, IA | 1,205 | 53% | 63% | 77% |
| 14 | 619 | Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, IA | 2,714 | 49% | 63% | 77% |
| 15 | 645 | Wartburg College | Waverly, IA | 1,661 | 60% | 65% | 74% |
| 16 | 685 | Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,444 | 45% | 54% | 81% |
| 17 | 778 | Clarke University | Dubuque, IA | 949 | 49% | 63% | 73% |
| 18 | 791 | Morningside College | Sioux City, IA | 1,321 | 50% | 59% | 75% |
| 19 | 861 | Emmaus Bible College | Dubuque, IA | 216 | 33% | 40% | 85% |
| 20 | 965 | Buena Vista University | Storm Lake, IA | 2,035 | 42% | 51% | 73% |
| 21 | 1034 | Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary | Ankeny, IA | 250 | 50% | 58% | 67% |
| 22 | 1105 | Grand View University | Des Moines, IA | 2,005 | 40% | 49% | 71% |
| 23 | 1297 | Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 4,439 | 23% | 41% | 67% |
| 24 | 1359 | University of Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | 1,775 | 30% | 36% | 65% |
| 25 | 1369 | Graceland University-Lamoni | Lamoni, IA | 1,594 | 34% | 50% | 60% |
| 26 | 1401 | Briar Cliff University | Sioux City, IA | 1,041 | 35% | 43% | 54% |
| 27 | 1461 | Iowa Wesleyan University | Mount Pleasant, IA | 473 | 19% | 30% | 58% |
| 28 | 1504 | William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA | 1,698 | 12% | 31% | 63% |
| 29 | 1527 | Maharishi University of Management | Fairfield, IA | 402 | 38% | 58% | 72% |
| n/a | n/a | Allen College | Waterloo, IA | 379 | 79% | 82% | 100% |
| n/a | n/a | AIB College of Business | Des Moines, IA | 1,014 | (Not reported) | (Not reported) | 76% |
| n/a | n/a | Divine Word College | Epworth, IA | 96 | 9% | 27% | 64% |
| n/a | n/a | Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines, IA | 774 | (Not reported) | (Not reported) | 0% |
| n/a | n/a | Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center | Des Moines, IA | 0 | (Not reported) | (Not reported) | (Not reported) |
| n/a | n/a | Palmer College of Chiropractic | Davenport, IA | 34 | 0% | 67% | (Not reported) |
| n/a | n/a | St Luke's College | Sioux City, IA | 254 | (Not reported) | (Not reported) | (Not reported) |
| n/a | n/a | Wartburg Theological Seminary | Dubuque, IA | 0 | (Not reported) | (Not reported) | (Not reported) |
| n/a | n/a | Shiloh University | Kalona, IA | 20 | (Not reported) | (Not reported) | (Not reported) |
