Colleges where the most freshmen return in Iowa
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Iowa15 schools
15 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
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).
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Iowa
- 93% of freshmen return
- 88% graduate
- 2
- 3
- 4
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA · Private nonprofitTop 21% for graduation
- 85% of freshmen return
- 70% graduate
- 5
- 6
- 7
Loras College
Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofitTop 24% for graduation
- 82% of freshmen return
- 68% graduate
- 8
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · PublicTop 24% for graduation
- 82% of freshmen return
- 68% graduate
- 9
- 10
- 11
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 80% of freshmen return
- 62% graduate
- 12
Luther College
Decorah, IA · Private nonprofitTop 19% for graduation
- 77% of freshmen return
- 71% graduate
- 13
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 76% of freshmen return
- 61% graduate
- 14
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 76% of freshmen return
- 64% graduate
- 15
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- 73% of freshmen return
- 66% 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% |
| University of Iowa | $22,531 | $22,500 | $64,762 | 75% |
| Iowa State University | $18,589 | $22,869 | $63,386 | 75% |
| Dordt University | $25,807 | $21,500 | $52,559 | 70% |
| Drake University | $29,127 | $23,000 | $71,901 | 74% |
| Emmaus Bible College | $13,186 | $15,750 | $42,631 | 83% |
| Loras College | $20,716 | $26,000 | $58,289 | 68% |
| University of Northern Iowa | $15,901 | $19,691 | $55,177 | 68% |
| Simpson College | $21,936 | $26,000 | $59,274 | 63% |
| Central College | $23,377 | $26,984 | $54,317 | 66% |
| Cornell College | $23,634 | $27,000 | $53,460 | 62% |
| Luther College | $23,097 | $27,000 | $59,850 | 71% |
| Saint Ambrose University | $24,691 | $25,000 | $59,531 | 61% |
| Wartburg College | $32,908 | $27,000 | $56,201 | 64% |
| Coe College | $18,745 | $27,000 | $57,125 | 66% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15