Best colleges for NCAA Division III athletes in Iowa
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division III athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division III athletes in Iowa10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Iowa.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division III (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Iowa
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 88% graduate
- 2
- 3
Luther College
Decorah, IA · Private nonprofitTop 19% for graduation
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 71% graduate
- 4
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 66% graduate
- 5
Loras College
Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofitTop 24% for graduation
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 68% graduate
- 6Tie
Central College
Pella, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 66% graduate
- 6Tie
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 62% graduate
- 8
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 64% graduate
- 9
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 62% graduate
- 10
University of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 40% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell College | $17,648 | $17,500 | $62,830 | 88% |
| Simpson College | $21,936 | $26,000 | $59,274 | 63% |
| Luther College | $23,097 | $27,000 | $59,850 | 71% |
| Coe College | $18,745 | $27,000 | $57,125 | 66% |
| Loras College | $20,716 | $26,000 | $58,289 | 68% |
| Central College | $23,377 | $26,984 | $54,317 | 66% |
| Cornell College | $23,634 | $27,000 | $53,460 | 62% |
| Wartburg College | $32,908 | $27,000 | $56,201 | 64% |
| Buena Vista University | $18,846 | $25,000 | $49,156 | 62% |
| University of Dubuque | $23,386 | $25,750 | $51,190 | 40% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Arkansas 3
- California 13
- Connecticut 10
- District of Columbia 3
- Georgia 8
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 10
- Kentucky 5
- Maine 11
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 38
- Michigan 7
- Minnesota 19
- Mississippi 3
- Missouri 3
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 14
- New York 60
- North Carolina 10
- Ohio 21
- Oregon 6
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 4
- Tennessee 3
- Texas 15
- Vermont 3
- Virginia 19
- Washington 4
- Wisconsin 24