Best Grad Schools Iowa 2023
Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Iowa offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.
Best Grad Schools in Iowa
- Iowa State University 18 to 1
- University of Iowa 16 to 1
- Mount Mercy University 14 to 1
- St. Ambrose University 12 to 1
- Drake University 10 to 1
- Drake University $45,912
- Mount Mercy University $36,540
- St. Ambrose University $33,570
- University of Iowa $8,356
- Iowa State University $8,324
- St. Ambrose University $18,360
- Drake University $11,738
- Mount Mercy University $11,106
- University of Iowa $10,432
- Iowa State University $10,140
- Drake University 10 to 1
- St. Ambrose University 12 to 1
- Mount Mercy University 14 to 1
- University of Iowa 16 to 1
- Iowa State University 18 to 1
- Iowa State University $8,324
- University of Iowa $8,356
- St. Ambrose University $33,570
- Mount Mercy University $36,540
- Drake University $45,912
- Iowa State University $10,140
- University of Iowa $10,432
- Mount Mercy University $11,106
- Drake University $11,738
- St. Ambrose University $18,360
Colleges and Universities in Iowa
With a large number of both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Iowa, students have plenty of great schools to choose from.
Iowa’s largest public university, Iowa State University, serves over 30,000 students and offers extra flexibility for both undergraduate and graduate students through a selection of online degree programs in more than 50 academic fields including business administration, psychology, computer science, and more.
The University of Iowa-home of the Hawkeyes-is also home to some of the nation’s top programs in literature, philosophy, and law. The University of Iowa has also been at the forefront of higher education, starting the nation’s first co-educational medical school, as well as being the first public school to grant a law degree to a woman, Mary B. Hickey Wilkinson, in 1873.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
For prospective students hoping to obtain their degrees at a smaller school, Iowa offers over 40 options to choose from. For a more affordable option, students can pay $4,000 per year for tuition at Indian Hills Community College. Like most community colleges in Georgia, Indian Hills also offers an array of online programs.
At the other end of the spectrum, students will pay up to $52,000 for an academic year at Grinnell College. Furthermore, nearly half of the schools in Iowa are religiously affiliated.
Iowa is often recognized for its agriculture as it produces the most pork and corn in the nation. Equally noteworthy is Iowa’s wealth of one-of-a-kind roadside attractions. From the largest wooden nickel, to the crookedest street, to the Grotto of Redemption, The Hawkeye State is full of wonders. Students in search of curiosities and oddities while earning a degree can attend one of Iowa’s public or private colleges.
Whether you’re looking to earn your associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, Iowa offers a wealth of on-campus and online learning options. Discover more about Iowa’s top brick-and-mortar and online programs as well as top career paths in the state of Iowa.
What are Iowa’s Colleges & Universities?
- 5 Research Universities
- 23 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 6 Graduate Schools
- 4 Public Colleges & Universities
- 24 Private Colleges & Universities
- 19 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 24 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 4 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 15 Community Colleges
- Best Online Colleges
Iowa’s Best Overall
There are 6 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Iowa. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Iowa is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
Best Grad Schools in Iowa 2022
- #14 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Iowa 2023 #1 Best Colleges in Iowa 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
74%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/25
What is University of Iowa known for?
University of Iowa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa 2023 #2 Best Public Colleges in Iowa 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Iowa 2023 #2 Best Research Universities in Iowa 2023
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
76%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/24
What is Iowa State University known for?
Iowa State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Biology
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 2023 #2 Best Small Colleges in Iowa 2023 #3 Best Research Universities in Iowa 2023 #4 Best Colleges in Iowa 2023
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
78%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/26
What is Drake University known for?
Drake University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
64%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/22
What is St. Ambrose University known for?
St. Ambrose University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- Social Work
- Engineering
- Sociology
- Nursing
- Criminal Justice
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Literature
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
60%
Student body
1K
What is Mount Mercy University known for?
Mount Mercy University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
35%
Student body
2K
What is Maharishi International University known for?
Maharishi International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Iowa’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest
Resources for Prospective Grad Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
