Best ROI Colleges in Iowa
25 schools ranked by median earnings relative to net price — the schools where the math actually works. Updated from the latest federal filings.
| # | School | Net Price | Grad Rate | Earnings 10yr | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drake University Des Moines · private | $29,127 | 78.1% | $71,901 | 63.8% |
| 2 | Allen College Waterloo · private | — | 93.7% | $71,261 | — |
| 3 | University of Iowa Iowa City · public | $22,531 | 72.3% | $64,762 | 83.6% |
| 4 | Iowa State University Ames · public | $18,589 | 74.5% | $63,386 | 88.7% |
| 5 | Grinnell College Grinnell · private | $17,648 | 87.8% | $62,830 | 14.5% |
| 6 | Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines · private | $26,924 | 73.6% | $62,234 | 99.7% |
| 7 | St Luke's College Sioux City · private | $19,820 | 70.0% | $61,033 | 80.0% |
| 8 | Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids · private | $20,168 | 62.2% | $60,787 | 82.5% |
| 9 | Luther College Decorah · private | $23,097 | 72.3% | $59,850 | 71.5% |
| 10 | Saint Ambrose University Davenport · private | $24,691 | 66.2% | $59,531 | 77.3% |
| 11 | Palmer College of Chiropractic Davenport · private | — | 68.8% | $59,483 | — |
| 12 | Simpson College Indianola · private | $21,936 | 66.6% | $59,274 | 86.2% |
| 13 | Loras College Dubuque · private | $20,716 | 67.8% | $58,289 | 99.9% |
| 14 | Coe College Cedar Rapids · private | $18,745 | 65.4% | $57,125 | 64.0% |
| 15 | Wartburg College Waverly · private | $32,908 | 68.5% | $56,201 | 75.8% |
| 16 | Morningside University Sioux City · private | $31,320 | 58.8% | $55,494 | 71.0% |
| 17 | Clarke University Dubuque · private | $24,479 | 55.7% | $55,396 | 71.8% |
| 18 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls · public | $15,901 | 67.0% | $55,177 | 92.7% |
| 19 | Briar Cliff University Sioux City · private | $23,907 | 54.1% | $54,475 | — |
| 20 | Central College Pella · private | $23,377 | 69.2% | $54,317 | 86.2% |
| 21 | Cornell College Mount Vernon · private | $23,634 | 64.3% | $53,460 | 79.9% |
| 22 | Grand View University Des Moines · private | $21,774 | 60.2% | $52,824 | 99.1% |
| 23 | Upper Iowa University Fayette · private | $20,942 | 49.3% | $52,766 | 96.5% |
| 24 | Dordt University Sioux Center · private | $25,807 | 72.2% | $52,559 | 68.5% |
| 25 | University of Dubuque Dubuque · private | $23,386 | 49.5% | $51,190 | 88.6% |
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Data from U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS, College Scorecard, Clery Act). Updated annually. Rankings reflect the data as reported — not editorial opinion.