5 Best Colleges in Iowa – 2024

Academic Highlights: Thanks to a 9:1 student/faculty ratio and no competition from graduate students, 65% of classes have fewer than twenty students, and roughly one-fifth of sections have single-digit student enrollments. Participating in research is a normal part of an undergraduate education at Grinnell. Overall, 58% of Grinnell undergrads participate in one on- or off-campus research experience that was not simply built into their coursework. Some entered Mentored Advanced Projects, which see faculty work closely with students on scholarly or creative works while others conducted research at another location such as Duke University, Georgetown University, or Carnegie Mellon University. International study is also a fairly common part of a Grinnell education with over 50% of students studying abroad.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduation, 58% of Grinnell students head into the workforce, 27% to graduate school, 3% to postgraduate service, and 3% earned fellowships. Multiple grads accepted positions with Amazon, BOA, Deloitte, Epic, Google, and Microsoft. Grinnellians enrolled in graduate programs at prestigious universities like Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, and Yale; 83% of all applicants were accepted into their first or second choice program. The mean salary of those employed was $61,683. Massachusetts and Illinois attracted the highest number of graduates, slightly more than Iowa itself. New York and Minnesota were the next most popular locations for Grinnell grads.

Academic Highlights: 200+ undergraduate majors, minors, and certificate programs are available across eight colleges. The 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio is not suggestive of an intimate learning environment, yet the University of Iowa still manages to keep over half of its undergraduate sections at an enrollment of 19 or fewer students. Just 13% of sections enroll 50 or more undergrads. Increasing the number of undergraduate research opportunities available is part of the university’s strategic plan. At present, about one-third of UI undergrads conduct or assist research. In a given year, more than 1,000 University of Iowa students study abroad.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of recent grads found their first job or advanced degree program within six months of receiving their diploma. Companies that employ hundreds of alumni include John Deere, Collins Aerospace, Amazon, Deloitte, AbbVie, Microsoft, and Google. Five years after graduating, alumni report a salary increase of 55% and 95% are satisfied with their job. The median salary for recent grads was $50,000. 21% went directly into graduate school; 75% remained at the University of Iowa.

Academic Highlights: With more than 100 majors available across six undergraduate colleges, Iowa State has no shortage of academic pathways to explore. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, yet courses are a mix of large and small. 31% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students and 23% enroll more than 50. ​Iowa State University offers extensive undergraduate research opportunities across all disciplines, coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression. For example, students can participate in programs such as the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA), which provides paid positions for juniors and seniors to engage in faculty-mentored research projects.

Professional Outcomes: Ninety-four percent of the Class of 2023 enjoyed positive career outcomes, with 79% employed and 15% continuing their education. Popular employers include John Deere, Principal Financial Group, Amazon, Collins Aerospace, Corteva Agriscience, Bayer, Cargill, and Microsoft. Most remain in Iowa after graduation but many also move to Minnesota, Chicago, California, or Texas. The average starting salary for the most recent engineering cohort was $77,260.

Academic Highlights: Drake University offers students an exceptional private university experience with 150+ undergraduate programs across seven colleges and schools, all supported by an elite 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI) exemplifies Drake’s research commitment, providing year-round opportunities that culminate in the annual DUCURS conference, where students present publishable work. This intensive mentorship model serves a diverse community from 45 states and 40 countries, blending liberal arts rigor with professional preparation.

Professional Outcomes: Drake achieves extraordinary outcomes, with 97% of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months—69% launching careers at Iowa powerhouses like Principal Financial Group, John Deere, and Hy-Vee—while 25% pursue advanced degrees. The university’s 93% internship rate and 50% Iowa retention demonstrate Drake’s dual success in developing both local workforce leaders and globally competitive professionals, with alumni commanding strong salaries across multiple sectors.

Academic Highlights: There are 50+ majors and minors to select from at Cornell College (not to be confused with Cornell University). Cornell implements a distinctive block plan where students only take one class at a time for 18 days, allowing for in-depth exploration. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1 and 88% of recent graduates completed undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of students have found their workplace or postsecondary home within one year of earning their degree. Employers of the most alumni include Wells Fargo, University of Iowa Health Care, Collins Aerospace, Walmart, and Microsoft. The median salary for graduates early in their careers was $65,100.