Best value colleges in the Midwest in Iowa
Colleges in the Midwest with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price after aid, earnings and debt.
Best value colleges in the Midwest in Iowa16 schools
16 schools qualify, ranked by Value.
How this list is made
- Schools in Iowa.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- In the Midwest (U.S. Census Bureau region).
- Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Value, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Iowa
- Value grade A- · Top 14%
- Net price $17,648 a year
- 2
St. Luke's College
Sioux City, IA · Private nonprofitTop 1% for graduation
- Value grade A- · Top 17%
- Net price $19,820 a year
- 3
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · PublicTop 24% for graduation
- Value grade B+ · Top 24%
- Net price $15,901 a year
- 4
Iowa State University
Ames, IA · PublicTop 14% for graduation
- Value grade B+ · Top 27%
- Net price $18,589 a year
- 5
Emmaus Bible College
Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofit#2 in Iowa
- Value grade B+ · Top 29%
- Net price $13,186 a year
- 6
- 7
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Value grade B · Top 49%
- Net price $18,745 a year
- 8
Loras College
Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofitTop 24% for graduation
- Value grade B
- Net price $20,716 a year
- 9
- 10
- 11
Luther College
Decorah, IA · Private nonprofitTop 19% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- Net price $23,097 a year
- 12
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade B-
- Net price $24,691 a year
- 13
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA · Private nonprofitTop 21% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- Net price $25,807 a year
- 14
Central College
Pella, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade B-
- Net price $23,377 a year
- 15
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade B-
- Net price $23,634 a year
- 16
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade C+
- Net price $32,908 a year
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% |
| St. Luke's College | $19,820 | $15,000 | $61,033 | 100% |
| University of Northern Iowa | $15,901 | $19,691 | $55,177 | 68% |
| Iowa State University | $18,589 | $22,869 | $63,386 | 75% |
| Emmaus Bible College | $13,186 | $15,750 | $42,631 | 83% |
| University of Iowa | $22,531 | $22,500 | $64,762 | 75% |
| Coe College | $18,745 | $27,000 | $57,125 | 66% |
| Loras College | $20,716 | $26,000 | $58,289 | 68% |
| Drake University | $29,127 | $23,000 | $71,901 | 74% |
| Simpson College | $21,936 | $26,000 | $59,274 | 63% |
| Luther College | $23,097 | $27,000 | $59,850 | 71% |
| Saint Ambrose University | $24,691 | $25,000 | $59,531 | 61% |
| Dordt University | $25,807 | $21,500 | $52,559 | 70% |
| 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% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.