2021 Best Affordable Colleges for International Students in Iowa
25
Colleges
$35,383
Avg Tuition & Fees*
51%
Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*
When it comes to choosing a college, international students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Value Colleges for International Students in Iowa ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
After analyzing 25 schools in Iowa, we came up with our list of those that offered the best educational experiences for international students in Iowa. Instead of depending on subjective information, we focus on objective factors to determine this ranking. These factors include such things as the total number of international students at the school and the school's overall value.
Find out more about our ranking methodology.
Customizing Your List
Since one ranking on its own is not enough to give you a complete understanding of your educational options, you can refine this list by location. We've also developed a number of other tools and rankings based on other factors. These other rankings highlight colleges that excel in other factors such as quality or diversity as well as schools that excel in serving different groups of students such as online students or returnings adults.
We've created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you're torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Top Value Colleges in Iowa for International Students
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our 2021 rankings named Iowa State University the best affordable school for international students in Iowa working on their bachelor’s degree. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,998 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 8.1% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at Iowa State are China, India, and Malaysia. International students at Iowa State can expect to pay, on average, about $25,446 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $26,948 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on Iowa State University
A rank of #2 on our list means University of Northern Iowa is a great place for international students in Iowa working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,555 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Around 3.5% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as Saudi Arabia, China, and Mexico come to UNI to study. International students at UNI can expect to pay, on average, about $19,753 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $21,201 per year.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full University of Northern Iowa Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #3 on our 2021 Best Colleges for international students in Iowa list. University of Iowa is a large public school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 5,998 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 5.9% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Iowa are China, South Korea, and India. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Iowa is about $31,905 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $31,012 per year.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read full report on University of Iowa
A rank of #4 on our list means Maharishi International University is a great place for international students in Iowa working on their bachelor’s degree. Fairfield, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 134 students in 2020-2021.
Around 42.6% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at MIU come from such countries as Nepal, Ethiopia, and China. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at MIU is about $16,530 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $32,530 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Maharishi International University Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Emmaus Bible College. The school came in at #5 in this year’s ranking. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 77 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 2.1% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at Emmaus Bible College are Canada, South Korea, and India. International students at Emmaus Bible College can expect to pay, on average, about $19,550 a year to attend the school.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Emmaus Bible College
Saint Ambrose University did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa ranking, coming in at #6. St. Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 626 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 2.3% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at St. Ambrose University come from such countries as Saudi Arabia, India, and United Kingdom. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at St. Ambrose University is about $33,570 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $18,640 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on Saint Ambrose University
Northwestern College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa list. NWC is located in Orange City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 283 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Around 2.1% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at NWC are United Kingdom, Brazil, and Nepal. International students at NWC can expect to pay, on average, about $33,590 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $6,360 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on Northwestern College
Loras College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa list. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 340 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 1.6% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Loras come from such countries as Colombia, France, and Nepal. International students at Loras can expect to pay, on average, about $35,268 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $12,990 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Loras College Report
Drake University landed the #9 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa. Drake is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 838 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 2.4% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Drake are Malaysia, China, and Vietnam. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Drake runs, on average, about $45,912. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $11,988 per year.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Drake University Report
Mount Mercy University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa ranking. Mount Mercy is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 430 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 3.2% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Mount Mercy are Germany, Serbia, and United Kingdom. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Mount Mercy is about $36,540 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $11,176 per year.
Full Mount Mercy University Report
Luther College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa ranking. Located in Decorah, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 460 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 7.9% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at Luther come from such countries as Vietnam, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Luther runs, on average, about $46,760.
Read More…
Wartburg College landed the #12 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa. Waverly, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 303 students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 6.8% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Swaziland, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe come to Wartburg to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Wartburg runs, on average, about $47,500. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $22,450 per year.
Read More…
Simpson College landed the #13 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa. Located in Indianola, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 341 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 1.5% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Simpson College are Mexico, France, and Nigeria. International students at Simpson College can expect to pay, on average, about $44,030 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $6,606 per year.
Read full report on Simpson College
Grand View University did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa ranking, coming in at #14. Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 521 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 2.5% are international. Students from as far away as United Kingdom, Rwanda, and Brazil come to Grand View University to study. International students at Grand View University can expect to pay, on average, about $30,954 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $9,440 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read More…
Clarke University did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa ranking, coming in at #15. Clarke is located in Dubuque, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 161 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Around 1.9% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Clarke come from such countries as United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Australia. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Clarke runs, on average, about $36,870. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $14,147 per year.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Clarke University Report
With a ranking of #16, Morningside College did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa. Morningside is located in Sioux City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 285 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 2.7% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Germany, Brazil, and Japan come to Morningside to study. International students at Morningside can expect to pay, on average, about $35,270 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $6,516 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Morningside College Report
Coe College landed the #17 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 395 students in 2020-2021.
Around 2.3% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as Japan, China, and Germany come to Coe to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Coe is about $48,822 a year, on average.
Read More…
Cornell College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa ranking. Cornell College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 314 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 4.5% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, Vietnam, and Japan come to Cornell College to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Cornell College runs, on average, about $47,726. Graduate students pay around $15,050 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Cornell College Report
With a ranking of #19, Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa. Graceland Lamoni is located in Lamoni, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 289 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 4.1% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Canada, Venezuela, and Colombia come to Graceland Lamoni to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Graceland Lamoni is about $31,920 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $11,187 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read More…
University of Dubuque ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa list. UD is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 423 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 4.8% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at UD come from such countries as Saudi Arabia, China, and Taiwan. International students at UD can expect to pay, on average, about $36,010 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $7,940 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on University of Dubuque
Buena Vista University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa list. BVU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Storm Lake, Iowa. It awarded 399 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 0.2% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at BVU are Rwanda, South Korea, and Burundi. International students at BVU can expect to pay, on average, about $37,518 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $9,936 per year.
Read full report on Buena Vista University
Upper Iowa University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 1,084 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 2.9% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at UIU are Malaysia, United Kingdom, and Nigeria. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UIU runs, on average, about $33,609. Graduate students pay around $19,685 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Upper Iowa University Report
With a ranking of #23, William Penn University did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and it awarded 214 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 5.0% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at William Penn University are United Kingdom, Rwanda, and Australia. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at William Penn University is about $27,200 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $10,500 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full William Penn University Report
Waldorf University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa list. Waldorf is located in Forest City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 540 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the total number of students at the school, 2.8% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at Waldorf are Canada, Brazil, and Germany. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Waldorf is about $23,666 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $4,835 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on Waldorf University
With a ranking of #25, Grinnell College did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Iowa. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Grinnell, Iowa that handed out 496 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 19.0% are international. Students studying at Grinnell come from such countries as China, India, and South Korea. International students at Grinnell can expect to pay, on average, about $58,648 a year to attend the school.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Grinnell College Report
college factual
