2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa
When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in Iowa ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of School Matters
We analyzed 23 colleges and universities across Iowa to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their bachelor's degree.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your bachelor's degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
5,533
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,287
Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,817
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found University of Iowa to be the best school for bachelor’s degrees in Iowa in this year’s ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school handed out 5,533 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Iowa is $45,287 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $31,817.
Full University of Iowa Report
6,795
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,615
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,862
Average Student Debt
Out of the 23 bachelor’s degree schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Ames, Iowa, the large public school awarded 6,795 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State go into careers with an average salary of $49,615 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,862 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Iowa State University
2,246
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,830
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,244
Average Student Debt
Out of the 23 bachelor’s degree schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,246 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UNI is $42,830 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $18,244 in student loans.
Full University of Northern Iowa Report
558
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,888
Average Early-Career Earnings
Out of the 23 bachelor’s degree schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Grinnell College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Grinnell, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 558 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell go into careers with an average salary of $38,888 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Grinnell College
813
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,648
Average Early-Career Earnings
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in Iowa list means Drake University is a great place for students working on their degree. Drake is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 813 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Drake make an average of $49,648 a year.
Read full report on Drake University
592
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$61,348
Average Early-Career Earnings
Waldorf University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Forest City, Iowa, the small private for-profit school handed out 592 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Waldorf make an average of $61,348 per year during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Waldorf University
619
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,060
Average Early-Career Earnings
$37,223
Average Student Debt
Saint Ambrose University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Saint Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 619 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose University make an average of $49,060 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $37,223.
Learn More About Saint Ambrose University
499
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,426
Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,244
Average Student Debt
Luther College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Decorah, Iowa that handed out 499 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Luther is $42,426 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $31,244 in student loans.
Read full report on Luther College
388
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,888
Average Early-Career Earnings
Simpson College did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking, coming in at #9. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianola, Iowa. It awarded 388 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Simpson College make an average of $48,888 a year.
Learn More About Simpson College
398
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,918
Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,091
Average Student Debt
Wartburg College did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking, coming in at #10. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Waverly, Iowa that handed out 398 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Wartburg make an average of $46,918 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $19,091 in student loans.
Learn More About Wartburg College
294
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,141
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,627
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #11, Morningside College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. Morningside is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 294 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Morningside make an average of $48,141 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $16,627 in student loans.
Full Morningside College Report
259
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,953
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,750
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #12, Central College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Pella, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 259 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Central go into careers with an average salary of $39,953 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,750 in student loans.
Learn More About Central College
1,004
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,840
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,063
Average Student Debt
Upper Iowa University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 1,004 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UIU is $47,840 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $15,063.
Read full report on Upper Iowa University
434
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,511
Average Early-Career Earnings
$36,687
Average Student Debt
Coe College did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking, coming in at #14. Coe is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 434 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $44,511 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $36,687 in student loans.
Read full report on Coe College
281
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,087
Average Early-Career Earnings
$29,967
Average Student Debt
Graceland University - Lamoni came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Lamoni, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 281 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Graceland Lamoni make an average of $42,087 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $29,967.
Learn More About Graceland University - Lamoni
344
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$51,449
Average Early-Career Earnings
Dordt University landed the #16 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Sioux Center, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 344 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Dordt make an average of $51,449 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Dordt University Report
362
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,949
Average Early-Career Earnings
Loras College did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 362 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Loras go into careers with an average salary of $42,949 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Loras College
527
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,118
Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,000
Average Student Debt
Buena Vista University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Storm Lake, Iowa, and it awarded 527 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from BVU make an average of $43,118 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $8,000.
Read full report on Buena Vista University
455
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,860
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,076
Average Student Debt
Grand View University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 455 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $44,860 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $18,076.
Read full report on Grand View University
259
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$54,145
Average Early-Career Earnings
Northwestern College did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking, coming in at #20. NWC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Orange City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 259 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $54,145 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Northwestern College
412
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,670
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of Dubuque landed the #21 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. UD is located in Dubuque, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 412 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UD is $45,670 during the early years of their career.
Full University of Dubuque Report
438
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,050
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,611
Average Student Debt
Mount Mercy University landed the #22 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Mount Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 438 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Mount Mercy is $45,050 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,611.
Read full report on Mount Mercy University
223
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,699
Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,721
Average Student Debt
William Penn University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and it awarded 223 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from William Penn University make an average of $39,699 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $17,721 in student loans.
Learn More About William Penn University
Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
View Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >
More Rankings >
