Best Colleges in Iowa by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Iowa? We ranked all 29 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. Grinnell College comes out on top at 83/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 29 Iowa colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 52/100, on an average net price of $22,358 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is Grinnell College at 83/100.
Graduates of Drake University earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $71,901. The lightest price tag belongs to Maharishi International University at $14,956 a year. The list below ranks every Iowa college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 Iowa Colleges by ROI Score
- 1Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA · Private NonprofitNet price$17,648/yrMedian earnings$62,83083ROI
- 2Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA · Private NonprofitNet price$29,127/yrMedian earnings$71,90181ROI
- 3Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · PublicNet price$18,589/yrMedian earnings$63,38679ROI
- 4University of IowaIowa City, IA · PublicNet price$22,531/yrMedian earnings$64,76276ROI
- 5Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines, IA · Private NonprofitNet price$26,924/yrMedian earnings$62,23470ROI
- 6University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · PublicNet price$15,901/yrMedian earnings$55,17769ROI
- 7Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids, IA · Private NonprofitNet price$20,168/yrMedian earnings$60,78768ROI
- 8Loras CollegeDubuque, IA · Private NonprofitNet price$20,716/yrMedian earnings$58,28962ROI
- 9Coe CollegeCedar Rapids, IA · Private NonprofitNet price$18,745/yrMedian earnings$57,12560ROI
- 10Luther CollegeDecorah, IA · Private NonprofitNet price$23,097/yrMedian earnings$59,85060ROI
Iowa College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Iowa?
Grinnell College has the highest ROI score in Iowa at 83/100, while the lowest net price among Iowa schools we track is $14,956/year at Maharishi International University. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Iowa?
The average net price across the 29 Iowa colleges in our dataset is $22,358 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Iowa college has the highest graduate earnings?
Drake University reports the highest median earnings among Iowa schools we scored, at $71,901 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Iowa did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 29 colleges in Iowa on return on investment. Of those, 11 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Iowa Schools by ROI Score
29 schools
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines, IA
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA
Loras College
Dubuque, IA
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA
Luther College
Decorah, IA
Simpson College
Indianola, IA
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA
Central College
Pella, IA
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA
Northwestern College
Orange City, IA
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
Ankeny, IA
Morningside University
Sioux City, IA
Waldorf University
Forest City, IA
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA
Graceland University-Lamoni
Lamoni, IA
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA
University of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA
Maharishi International University
Fairfield, IA
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release