Top 10 Universities in Iowa

Since most of Iowa’s land is agricultural, Iowa is known as the Corn State. Due to this, the state’s top universities are offered innovative agricultural degree programs including the oldest land-grant university in the U.S i.e. the Iowa State University.

Most of the universities in Iowa are private midsize institutions with only a few public universities. Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Iowa City, Davenport, and the state capital, Des Moines are the cities where the top universities are situated.

Here are the top 10 universities in Iowa that you can study in:

1. University of Iowa-

UI is a public university that was established in 1847 in Iowa City, Iowa. It is the oldest and top public university in the state of Iowa and is the second largest university in the state. The university serves a total body of 32,948 students. The acceptance rate is 83% making admissions the least competitive. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,605 and out-state tuition and fees are $31,568. The university offers more than 200 academic programs in graduate, undergraduate and professional programs through its 12 colleges. Top majors are Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Finance, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and nursing. The starting salary of alumni is $50,900.

Rankings of the University of Iowa in Iowa:

1 in Top Public Universities in Iowa

2 in Best Universities in Iowa

2 in Best Universities for Psychology in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

41 in Top Public Universities in America

41 in Best Universities for Accounting and Finance in America

48 in Best Universities for Nursing in America

88 in National Universities 

Website: www.uiowa.edu

Address: 107 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States

2. Iowa State University-

Founded in 1858, Iowa State University is one of the oldest public universities in the United States and a highly ranked public university located in Ames, Iowa. With an enrolment of 33,391 students from across the United States and other parts of the world, it is the largest university in the state of Iowa.

Known for its high research activity, it is the nation’s first-ever land grant institution. The university’s eight colleges offer certificate courses, undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study including a degree in Veterinary Medicine

In-state tuition and fees for Iowa residents are $9,320 and for students of other states and international students; the tuition and fees are $24,508. Inside the classroom, the student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1.

Getting Admissions is very easy as the university’s acceptance rate is 92%. Agricultural Business, Mechanical Engineering, Marketing, and finance are some top majors. After graduation, 81% of the students went on to earn a starting salary of $55,400.

Rankings of Iowa State University in Iowa:

2 in Best Value Universities in Iowa

2 in Best Value Universities in Iowa

2 in Universities with the Best Professors in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

21 in Best Universities for Agricultural Sciences in America

44 in Best Big Universities in America

45 in Top Public Universities in America

118 in National Universities

Website: www.iastate.edu

Address: 1750 Beardshear Hall Ames, IA 50011, United States

3. Drake University–

Founded in 1881, Drake University is a reputed private university located in Des Moines, Iowa. It is a small institution with an enrolment of 4,800 students. The acceptance rate of 68% makes this institution somewhat selective in nature. Tuition and fees to attend Drake are $44,366. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. Marketing, Actuarial Science, and Accounting are the sought-after majors. The annual starting salary of alumni is $49,700.

Rankings of Drake University in Iowa:

1 in Best Value Universities in Iowa

2 in Universities with the Best Academics in Iowa

2 in Top Private Universities in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

24 in Best Universities with No Application Fee in America

27 in Best Universities for Accounting and Finance in America

38 in Best Universities for Education in America

124 in National Universities 

Website: www.drake.edu

Address: 2507 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50311, United States

4. Dordt University–

Founded in 1955, Dordt University is a Christian private university located in Sioux Center, Iowa. The university has an enrolment of 1737 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1 Acceptance rate of 75% makes admissions quite easy. Tuition and fees are $32,820. The university offers about 90 majors in various fields of study. Elementary Education, Agricultural Business, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science are the top majors. The average starting salary of alumni is $50,700.

Rankings of Dordt University in Iowa:

2 in Best Universities for Education in Iowa

5 in Top Private Universities in Iowa

7 in Best Universities in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

51 in Best Christian Universities in America

66 in Best Universities for Education in America

109 in Best Small Universities in America

Website: www.dordt.edu

Address: 700 7th St SE Sioux Center, IA 51250, United States

5. University of Northern Iowa

The University of Northern Iowa is a public university located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that was founded in 1876. The university serves a total student body of 10,497 students. With an acceptance rate of 79%, admission is somewhat competitive. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. In-state tuition and fees for Iowa residents are $8,938 and out-of-state tuition and fees for non-residents are $19,480. The university offers more than 90 majors in various fields of study. Top majors are Elementary Education, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, and Business. The average starting salary of a Northern Iowa graduate is $45,700.

Rankings of the University of Northern Iowa in Iowa:

3 in Top Public Universities in Iowa

3 in Universities with the Best Student Life in Iowa

4 in Best Universities for Accounting and Finance in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

108 in Best Universities for Accounting and Finance in America

133 in Top Public Universities in America

183 in  Universities with the Best Student Life in America

Website: www.uni.edu

Address: 1227 W 27th St Cedar Falls, IA 50614, United States

6. St. Ambrose University

St. Ambrose University is a public university that was founded in 1882 and is located in Davenport, Iowa. The university is moderately selective as its acceptance rate is 77% with an enrolment of 2968 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. Tuition and fees for students are $32,758. The university offers 60 majors in various fields of study. The top majors are Nursing, Psychology, and Kinesiology, and Exercise Science. The average starting salary of alumni is $44,900.

 Rankings of St. Ambrose University in Iowa:

2 in Best Catholic Universities in Iowa

5 in Best Universities for Nursing in Iowa

7 in Best Universities for Psychology in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

73 in Best Catholic Universities in America

138 in Best Universities for Criminal Justice in America

348 in Top Private Universities in America

Website: www.sau.edu

Address: 518 W Locust St Davenport, IA 52803, United States

7. Upper Iowa University-

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private university located in Fayette, Iowa. The university also has 21 other locations across the U.S and also in Hong Kong. The university has a student population of over 5,000 students and 11:1 is the student to faculty ratio. Admissions are quite competitive as the school has an acceptance rate of 51%. Its tuition and fees are $31,685. The university offers more than 70 academic programs in associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. Top-ranked majors are Business, Human Services, and Psychology. The starting salary of alumni is $44,100.

Rankings of Upper Iowa University in Iowa:

5 in Hardest Universities to Get Into in Iowa

 6 in Best Universities for Accounting and Finance in Iowa

 8 in Best Universities for Business in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

62 in Best Online Universities in America

285 in Best Universities for Business in America

 298 in Best Universities for Accounting and Finance in America

8. Buena Vista University–

It is a private, Christian university located in Storm Lake, Iowa that was founded in 1891. It is a small university by enrolment with 1,863 total students. The university’s acceptance rate is 57%. Its tuition and fees are $36,426. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. The university offers 65 bachelor’s degrees, masters’ degrees,s and endorsements through its four schools. The top majors are Liberal Arts and Humanities, Business, and Psychology. The median annual starting salary of alumni is $40,500.

Rankings of Buena Vista University in Iowa:

8 in Hardest Universities to Get Into in Iowa

11 in Best Universities for Education in Iowa

13 in Top Private Universities in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

180 in Best Universities for Education in America

212 in Best Universities with No Application Fee in America

447 in Hardest Universities to Get Into in America

Website: www.bvu.edu

Address: 610 W 4th St Storm Lake, IA 50588, United States

9. University of Dubuque-

Founded in 1852, the University of Dubuque is a private university located in Dubuque, Iowa. The institution has an enrolment of 2,303 students. The acceptance rate is 73% making it a fairly selective institution. The student to faculty ratio is 13:1. Its tuition and fees are $36,610. The university provides undergraduate programs, graduate programs,s and certificate courses in various fields of study. Business, Criminal Justice and Safety Studies, and Aviation Management and Operations are the top majors. The starting salary of alumni is $41,900.

Rankings of University of Dubuque in Iowa:

8 in Best University Campuses in Iowa

9 in Best University Locations in Iowa

22 in Best Value Universities in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

449 in Best Universities for Business in America

450 in Best University Campuses in America

762 in Universities with the Best Student Life in America

Website: www.dbq.edu

Address: 2000 University Ave Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

10. Graceland University-

Founded in 1895, Graceland University is a private university located in Lamoni, Iowa. The university has a total enrolment of 1,739 students. The acceptance rate is 58%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. Its tuition and fees are $31,320. The university offers more than 50 academic programs in undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees through its nine schools. It also offers online programs for undergraduate and graduates degrees. Majors in demand are Nursing, Business and Elementary Education. The average starting salary of alumni is $44,300. 

Rankings of Graceland University in Iowa:

12 in Universities with the Best Professors in Iowa

12 in Hardest Universities to Get Into in Iowa

 24 in Best Value Universities in Iowa

Rankings in the nation:

582 in Hardest Universities to Get Into in America

695 in Most Liberal Universities in America

813 in Universities with the Best Professors in America

Website: www.graceland.edu

Address: 1 University Place Lamoni, IA 50140, United States

Conclusion

This concludes the list of some of the top universities in Iowa with University of Iowa being the top university in the state. Iowa State is just behind University of Iowa but still is a good choice if someone is looking for both academics and within the budget.

In terms of expense, Drake University has the highest tuition and fees whereas Northern Iowa University has the lowest compared to all.