See how Iowa's colleges and universities rank in cost and quality value

Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register
·6 min read

With the cost of higher education on the raise, finding a four-year school that also fits within your budget can be a determining factor for where students pursue the next step of their education.

A list created by Money.com rated schools across the country, including in Iowa, based on affordability and quality of their education. One school — Iowa State University — scored in the top 10% for affordability.

Originally established in 1972, Money is an online publication that focuses on personal finance strategies. Money's most recent analysis of the best four-year colleges examined more than 700 different schools. Quality, affordability and student outcomes are all examined to determine the overall star ratings. Schools with five stars are exceptionally high on Money's metrics. Ratings range from two to five stars.

The majority of colleges received three and a half or four stars, meaning they scored well in a couple areas but also had a few poor scores too. Universities with a two or three-star rating tend to have a lower graduation rate, higher prices or "mediocre alumni salaries," according to Money.

See how Iowa's four-year schools compare against each other for estimated tuition expenses and more.

Which Iowa schools earned 3 stars from Money's Best Colleges list?

Cornell College: Located in Mount Vernon, Cornell College's average estimated tuition cost for the upcoming school year is $67,300. With financial aid, tuition could be as low as $27,200. Cornell College accepts 79% of applicants and 67% of those students receive a diploma.

Upper Iowa University: Fayette's own Upper Iowa University accepts around 54% of applicants with 46% of those students graduating. The estimated price of tuition for the 2024-2025 school year could be as much as $50,300. With federal and state aid, tuition could be as low as $26,000.

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Wartburg College: Receiving three out of five stars, Wartburg College's tuition could be as much as $64,300. With grants included, the price tag drops to an estimated $25,000. The school has an acceptance rate of 97% and roughly 68% of those students graduate.

Which Iowa schools earned 3.5 stars from Money's Best Colleges list?

Buena Vista University: Located in Storm Lake, Buena Vista University received a three-and-a-half star rating. The average cost of tuition for the 2024-2025 school year could be as much as $55,000, but state and federal aid could lower that price tag to $20,300 a year. The average acceptance rate is 77% and BVU has a 60% graduation rate.

Central College: Based in Pella, Central College scored three and a half stars. Tuition for the coming school year could cost as much as $36,600, but federal and state grants could lower expenses to $24,600. The college accepts 79% of all applicants with 68% of them graduating, according to Money.

Clarke University: With federal and state aid dropping the average tuition to $28,800, Clarke University received a three-and-a-half star rating. The Dubuque-based school's estimated tuition for the 2024-2025 school year amounted to $55,800. Clarke University accepts around 85% of applicants and 66% of those students graduate.

Grand View University: Receiving a three-and-a-half star rating, Grand View has a 98% acceptance rating and a 62% graduation rate. Tuition averages $50,000 a year but could be as low as $21,400 with grants, according to Money.

Loras College: Located in Dubuque, Loras College received a three-and-a-half star rating. The school accepts around 90% of all applicants with 68% of them graduating. Tuition costs an average of $50,500, but with grants, it could be as low as $23,100 yearly.

Luther College: Luther College's tuition is estimated to be $65,400 for the upcoming school year. Financial aid could bring tuition as low as $27,200. Luther boasts a 77% graduation rate and a 75% acceptance rate.

Saint Ambrose University: Located in Davenport, Saint Ambrose University's tuition estimate for the upcoming school year is $53,000 according to Money. With financial aid, the average yearly tuition ends up being $24,700. Saint Ambrose has a 74% acceptance rate and a 67% graduation rate.

Which Iowa schools earned 4 stars from Money's Best Colleges list?

Magnolia trees bloom outside of Old Main on the Drake University campus on Monday, April 4, 2016, in Des Moines.
Magnolia trees bloom outside of Old Main on the Drake University campus on Monday, April 4, 2016, in Des Moines.

Drake University: Receiving four stars overall, the Des Moines-based university has a 67% acceptance rate and a 78% graduation rate. The estimated cost of full tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is just over $66,000, but with the financial aid applied it averages $32,000 a year, according to Money.

Mount Mercy University: Located in Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy's tuition with aid averages to $25,500. The total estimated price for the upcoming school year is expected to be $55,800. Mount Mercy University has an acceptance rate of 75% and a graduation rate of 69%, according to Money.

A view of the Simpson College campus in Indianola, Iowa, on Nov. 6, 2017.
A view of the Simpson College campus in Indianola, Iowa, on Nov. 6, 2017.

Simpson College: The Indianola-based school has an acceptance rate of 89% with around 70% of those students graduating. The average tuition for the upcoming school was projected at $61,500, with tuition as low as $25,800 when aid is included.

People walk on the west side of the Pentacrest past the changing leaves of trees around the Old Capitol Building, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa. In the distance at far left is City High School.
People walk on the west side of the Pentacrest past the changing leaves of trees around the Old Capitol Building, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa. In the distance at far left is City High School.

The University of Iowa: Home of the Hawkeyes, the University of Iowa scored four stars out of five according to Money. Tuition is projected to cost $27,900 for the 2024-2025 school year. With aid factored into pricing, tuition at the U of I could be $20,700. With an acceptance score of 86%, an estimated 72% of students graduate from the University of Iowa, according to Money.

University of Northern Iowa: Located in Cedar Falls, the University of Northern Iowa received four stars out of five from Money. The four-year school has an acceptance rate of 95% with a graduation of rate of 67%. Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is expected to be $22,900 and with grants could be as low as $16,700.

Which Iowa schools earned 4.5 stars from Money's Best Colleges list?

Grinnell College: Receiving a four-and-a-half-star rating, Grinnell College has the lowest acceptance rate in the state at 11%. Tuition could be as much as $82,800 a year, but grants could lower costs to $35,400. The overall graduation rate is 86%, according to Money.

Northwestern College: Tuition with grants is estimated to cost $26,000 at Northwestern College in Orange City, according to Money. The estimated full price is $50,700. Northwestern College has an acceptance rate of 87% and a graduation rate of 69%.

Iowa State University's Kody Henke and Megan Van Heiden from the Dean of Students Office under the Division of Student Affairs distribute fruit and water to students on their way to classes on the first day of the new school year at the university's central campus, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State University's Kody Henke and Megan Van Heiden from the Dean of Students Office under the Division of Student Affairs distribute fruit and water to students on their way to classes on the first day of the new school year at the university's central campus, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.

Iowa State University: ISU accepts roughly 90% of applicants and the average full price of admission is $24,000 with a graduation rate of 73%. After state and federal aid, the average cost of tuition amounts to $16,200. Iowa State landed in the top 10% for affordability according to Money's 2024-2025 rating system.

None of Iowa's university's received a five-star rating, according to Money.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What does college cost in Iowa? See schools ranked on cost, quality