Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa
25 schools ranked by lowest average net price after financial aid. Updated from the latest federal filings.
Includes two-year, technical and community colleges alongside four-year universities — the typeis shown under each name. Schools appear only where the underlying figures exist: a real undergraduate population and a published graduation rate. Satellite campuses that repeat a parent institution's numbers are collapsed into one entry.
| # | School | Net Price | Grad Rate | Earnings 10yr | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown · community | $8,059 | 33.1% | $41,010 | — |
| 2 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City · community | $8,770 | 51.3% | $40,473 | — |
| 3 | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge · community | $9,328 | 35.8% | $42,046 | — |
| 4 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo · community | $9,649 | 32.3% | $42,849 | — |
| 5 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids · community | $9,705 | 32.1% | $41,016 | — |
| 6 | Southwestern Community College Creston · community | $9,871 | 46.2% | $40,129 | — |
| 7 | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City · community | $10,010 | 41.1% | $43,462 | — |
| 8 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa · community | $10,693 | 42.8% | $40,507 | — |
| 9 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny · community | $11,171 | 28.0% | $41,018 | — |
| 10 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar · community | $11,272 | 41.7% | $41,306 | — |
| 11 | Ellsworth Community College Iowa Falls · community | $11,451 | 34.7% | $40,562 | — |
| 12 | Southeastern Community College West Burlington · community | $12,347 | 38.2% | $36,882 | — |
| 13 | Emmaus Bible College Dubuque · private | $13,186 | 78.3% | $42,631 | 59.8% |
| 14 | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville · community | $13,933 | 48.4% | $43,108 | — |
| 15 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport · community | $14,017 | 35.6% | $39,060 | — |
| 16 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs · community | $14,629 | 30.8% | $42,793 | — |
| 17 | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon · community | $14,800 | 61.1% | $50,776 | — |
| 18 | Maharishi International University Fairfield · private | $14,956 | 65.8% | $27,981 | 95.7% |
| 19 | Capri College-Dubuque Dubuque · private | $15,660 | 75.0% | $28,266 | — |
| 20 | La James International College-Johnston Johnston · private | $15,759 | 79.5% | $27,401 | — |
| 21 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls · public | $15,901 | 67.0% | $55,177 | 92.7% |
| 22 | Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary Ankeny · private | $16,282 | 60.4% | $40,650 | 67.5% |
| 23 | Capri College-Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids · private | $16,541 | 71.8% | $29,307 | — |
| 24 | Capri College-Davenport Davenport · private | $16,635 | 68.6% | $26,932 | — |
| 25 | Grinnell College Grinnell · private | $17,648 | 87.8% | $62,830 | 14.5% |
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Data from U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS, College Scorecard, Clery Act). Updated annually. Rankings reflect the data as reported — not editorial opinion.