Best Grad Schools Iowa 2024

Badge for BEST IN IOWA GRADUATE SCHOOLS

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

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  1. University of Iowa
  2. Iowa State University
  3. Drake University
  4. St. Ambrose University
  5. Mount Mercy University
  6. Maharishi International University
  1. University of Iowa
  2. Iowa State University
  3. Drake University
  4. Maharishi International University
  5. St. Ambrose University
  6. Mount Mercy University
  1. Maharishi International University 93%
  2. Iowa State University 90%
  3. University of Iowa 86%
  4. Mount Mercy University 75%
  5. St. Ambrose University 74%
  6. Drake University 67%
  1. Iowa State University 18 to 1
  2. University of Iowa 16 to 1
  3. Maharishi International University 13 to 1
  4. Mount Mercy University 13 to 1
  5. St. Ambrose University 12 to 1
  6. Drake University 10 to 1
  1. Drake University $47,742
  2. Mount Mercy University $37,606
  3. St. Ambrose University $34,570
  4. Maharishi International University $16,530
  5. University of Iowa $8,711
  6. Iowa State University $8,678
  1. Maharishi International University $29,000
  2. St. Ambrose University $19,040
  3. Drake University $11,878
  4. Mount Mercy University $11,106
  5. University of Iowa $10,875
  6. Iowa State University $10,572
  1. Maharishi International University
  2. Mount Mercy University
  3. St. Ambrose University
  4. Drake University
  5. Iowa State University
  6. University of Iowa
  1. Mount Mercy University
  2. St. Ambrose University
  3. Maharishi International University
  4. Drake University
  5. Iowa State University
  6. University of Iowa
  1. Drake University 67%
  2. St. Ambrose University 74%
  3. Mount Mercy University 75%
  4. University of Iowa 86%
  5. Iowa State University 90%
  6. Maharishi International University 93%
  1. Drake University 10 to 1
  2. St. Ambrose University 12 to 1
  3. Maharishi International University 13 to 1
  4. Mount Mercy University 13 to 1
  5. University of Iowa 16 to 1
  6. Iowa State University 18 to 1
  1. Iowa State University $8,678
  2. University of Iowa $8,711
  3. Maharishi International University $16,530
  4. St. Ambrose University $34,570
  5. Mount Mercy University $37,606
  6. Drake University $47,742
  1. Iowa State University $10,572
  2. University of Iowa $10,875
  3. Mount Mercy University $11,106
  4. Drake University $11,878
  5. St. Ambrose University $19,040
  6. Maharishi International University $29,000

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?

Iowa’s Best Overall


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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.

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Best Grad Schools in Iowa 2023

  1. #1

    University of Iowa

    Iowa City , IA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1235/25

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Iowa

    Cost of Degree: $10,353
    Expenses: $16,530
    Starting Salary: $62,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #4

    St. Ambrose University

    Davenport , IA

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/23

    Career Outlook for degree at St. Ambrose University

    Cost of Degree: $34,570
    Expenses: $16,728
    Starting Salary: $50,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #5

    Mount Mercy University

    Cedar Rapids , IA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Mount Mercy University

    Cost of Degree: $37,606
    Expenses: $16,060
    Starting Salary: $48,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Mount Mercy University known for?

    Mount Mercy University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Maharishi International University

    Cost of Degree: $16,530
    Expenses: $12,200
    Starting Salary: $30,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Maharishi International University known for?

    Maharishi International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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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.

  1. University of Iowa
  2. Iowa State University
  3. Drake University
  4. Maharishi International University
  5. St. Ambrose University
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