College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Best colleges in Iowa

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first
RankSchoolCompass ScoreCompass Score: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges from federal data on outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching. The ring shows where the college stands.AcademicsAcademic Excellence: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges, from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys.ValueValue: what families pay after aid, graduation rate, earnings and debt, from federal data.
1Grinnell CollegeHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Grinnell, IAA+Academics: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 3%A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 14%
2Emmaus Bible CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Dubuque, IAA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 13%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 29%
3Drake UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Des Moines, IAA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 14%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
4St. Luke's CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Sioux City, IAA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 16%A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 17%
5TieSimpson CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Indianola, IAA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 18%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
5TieUniversity of IowaRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Iowa City, IAA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 17%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 37%
7Iowa State UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Ames, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 21%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 27%
8Dordt UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Sioux Center, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 22%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
9Luther CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Decorah, IAA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 17%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
10Coe CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Cedar Rapids, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 29%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 49%
11University of Northern IowaRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Cedar Falls, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 35%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 24%
12Loras CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Dubuque, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 23%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
13TieCentral CollegePella, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 25%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
13TieCornell CollegeMount Vernon, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 29%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
15Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 34%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
16Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 40%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
17TieMercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 38%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 36%
17TieNorthwestern CollegeOrange City, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 36%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
19Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport, IAB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 35%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
20Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 43%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 39%
21Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 50%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
22Clarke UniversityDubuque, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 45%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
23Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 47%BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
24Morningside UniversitySioux City, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 45%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
25University of DubuqueDubuque, IABAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 49%B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
26William Penn UniversityOskaloosa, IAC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
27Maharishi International UniversityFairfield, IAB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
28Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IAC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
29Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IAB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
30Waldorf UniversityForest City, IAC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 42%

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first

  1. 1
    Grinnell CollegeHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Grinnell, IA
    • AcademicsA+Academics: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 3%
    • ValueA-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 14%
  2. 2
    Emmaus Bible CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Dubuque, IA
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 13%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 29%
  3. 3
    Drake UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Des Moines, IA
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 14%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  4. 4
    St. Luke's CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Sioux City, IA
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 16%
    • ValueA-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 17%
  5. 5Tie
    Simpson CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Indianola, IA
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 18%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  6. 5Tie
    University of IowaRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Iowa City, IA
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 17%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 37%
  7. 7
    Iowa State UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Ames, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 21%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 27%
  8. 8
    Dordt UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Sioux Center, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 22%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  9. 9
    Luther CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Decorah, IA
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 17%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  10. 10
    Coe CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Cedar Rapids, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 29%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 49%
  11. 11
    University of Northern IowaRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Cedar Falls, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 35%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 24%
  12. 12
    Loras CollegeRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Dubuque, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 23%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  13. 13Tie
    Central CollegePella, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 25%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  14. 13Tie
    Cornell CollegeMount Vernon, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 29%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  15. 15
    Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 34%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  16. 16
    Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 40%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  17. 17Tie
    Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 38%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 36%
  18. 17Tie
    Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 36%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  19. 19
    Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport, IA
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 35%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  20. 20
    Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 43%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 39%
  21. 21
    Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 50%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  22. 22
    Clarke UniversityDubuque, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 45%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  23. 23
    Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 47%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  24. 24
    Morningside UniversitySioux City, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 45%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  25. 25
    University of DubuqueDubuque, IA
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 49%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  26. 26
    William Penn UniversityOskaloosa, IA
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  27. 27
    Maharishi International UniversityFairfield, IA
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  28. 28
    Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  29. 29
    Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
  30. 30
    Waldorf UniversityForest City, IA
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Top 42%

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