Iowa

Colleges in Iowa: what they cost, and what graduates earn

16 Iowa universities with published federal data, teaching about 72,975 students. Median in-state tuition $40,878, median graduate earnings $58,781 ten years after entry.

Median tuition$40,878in-state, before aid
Median earnings$58,78110 yrs after entry
Paying loans down77%national 65%
Median SAT1200where published

Cheapest universities in IowaLowest published in-state tuition.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls $9,936 $55,177 $19,691 73% 1122
Iowa State University Ames $10,787 $63,386 $22,869 76% 1204
University of Iowa Iowa City $11,283 $64,762 $22,500 71% 1200
Upper Iowa University Fayette $19,475 $52,766 $25,000 50% 1090
Central College Pella $20,988 $54,317 $26,984 77% 1147
Wartburg College Waverly $26,250 $56,201 $27,000 79% 1136
Loras College Dubuque $39,824 $58,289 $26,000 83% —
Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids $40,878 $60,787 $23,699 73% —

Highest graduate earnings in IowaMedian pay ten years after entry.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Drake University Des Moines $52,130 $71,901 $23,000 84% 1292
Allen College Waterloo — $71,261 $18,750 84% —
University of Iowa Iowa City $11,283 $64,762 $22,500 71% 1200
Iowa State University Ames $10,787 $63,386 $22,869 76% 1204
Grinnell College Grinnell $68,106 $62,830 $17,500 89% 1486
Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids $40,878 $60,787 $23,699 73% —
Luther College Decorah $52,120 $59,850 $27,000 83% 1218
Simpson College Indianola $47,656 $59,274 $26,000 76% 1440

Fastest debt payback in IowaYears of salary premium needed to clear the median debt.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Allen College Waterloo — $71,261 $18,750 84% —
Drake University Des Moines $52,130 $71,901 $23,000 84% 1292
Grinnell College Grinnell $68,106 $62,830 $17,500 89% 1486
University of Iowa Iowa City $11,283 $64,762 $22,500 71% 1200
Iowa State University Ames $10,787 $63,386 $22,869 76% 1204
Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids $40,878 $60,787 $23,699 73% —
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls $9,936 $55,177 $19,691 73% 1122
Simpson College Indianola $47,656 $59,274 $26,000 76% 1440

Most selective universities in IowaHighest average SAT of admitted students.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Grinnell College Grinnell $68,106 $62,830 $17,500 89% 1486
Simpson College Indianola $47,656 $59,274 $26,000 76% 1440
Drake University Des Moines $52,130 $71,901 $23,000 84% 1292
Coe College Cedar Rapids $54,666 $57,125 $27,000 81% 1223
Luther College Decorah $52,120 $59,850 $27,000 83% 1218
Iowa State University Ames $10,787 $63,386 $22,869 76% 1204
University of Iowa Iowa City $11,283 $64,762 $22,500 71% 1200
Central College Pella $20,988 $54,317 $26,984 77% 1147

Scholarships at Iowa universities

Aid you never repay is the cheapest money in the whole calculation.

International Merit Scholarships at Iowa State University in U... Mount Mercy University Undergraduate Scholarships in USA, 2017 USA Iowa State University ISC International Scholarships 2018 Wartburg College international awards in USA Wartburg College Sister States Scholarships, USA 2022-23 University of Iowa USA Obermann International Fellowships 2025
Browse all scholarships →

Every Iowa university we hold data for

Allen College Buena Vista University Central College Coe College Drake University Grinnell College Iowa State University Loras College Luther College Mount Mercy University Simpson College University of Dubuque University of Iowa University of Northern Iowa Upper Iowa University Wartburg College

Studying in Iowa: common questions

How much does college cost in Iowa?
The median Iowa university charges $40,878 in-state and $40,878 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance around $54,222. After aid, families under $30,000 pay a median $16,231.
What do graduates of Iowa universities earn?
A median $58,781 ten years after entry, against median debt of $25,000.
Do students in Iowa repay their loans?
77% of borrowers at the median Iowa university are paying their balance down three years after leaving, against 65% nationally.
What SAT score do Iowa universities expect?
The median Iowa university that publishes scores reports an average SAT of 1200. Many are test-optional and publish nothing.
All states Iowa debt vs salary Cheapest US tuition Which degree pays best

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Universities without published figures are not listed.