Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa 2024
Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Iowa. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa 2024
- University of Iowa
- Iowa State University
- University of Northern Iowa
- Maharishi International University
- University of Iowa
- Iowa State University
- Maharishi International University
- University of Northern Iowa
- University of Northern Iowa 95%
- Maharishi International University 93%
- Iowa State University 90%
- University of Iowa 86%
- Iowa State University 18 to 1
- University of Northern Iowa 17 to 1
- University of Iowa 16 to 1
- Maharishi International University 13 to 1
- Maharishi International University $16,530
- University of Iowa $8,711
- Iowa State University $8,678
- University of Northern Iowa $8,111
- Maharishi International University $29,000
- University of Iowa $10,875
- Iowa State University $10,572
- University of Northern Iowa $9,691
- Maharishi International University
- University of Northern Iowa
- Iowa State University
- University of Iowa
- University of Northern Iowa
- Maharishi International University
- Iowa State University
- University of Iowa
- University of Iowa 86%
- Iowa State University 90%
- Maharishi International University 93%
- University of Northern Iowa 95%
- Maharishi International University 13 to 1
- University of Iowa 16 to 1
- University of Northern Iowa 17 to 1
- Iowa State University 18 to 1
- University of Northern Iowa $8,111
- Iowa State University $8,678
- University of Iowa $8,711
- Maharishi International University $16,530
- University of Northern Iowa $9,691
- Iowa State University $10,572
- University of Iowa $10,875
- 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?
- 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 4 colleges and universities in Iowa with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Iowa is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa 2023
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #2 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #14 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools Iowa 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Public Colleges in Iowa 2024
- #1 Best Research Universities in Iowa 2024
- #1 Best Colleges in Iowa 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Iowa
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Sports Management Degree Programs for 2024
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Iowa 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2024
- #2 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
- #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2024
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #5 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2024
- #5 Top 5 Best Online English PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #9 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2024
- #9 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024
- #10 Most Affordable Online Sociology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
- #11 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #4 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #8 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
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: $10,353Expenses: $16,530Starting Salary: $62,000Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Iowa known for?
University of Iowa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Iowa’s Online Degrees
BA in Applied Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Creative Writing
- Human Relations
- Justice Studies
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Enterprise Leadership
- Required Credits: 120-136
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Expression in Writing and Arts
- Global Studies
- Family
- Community
- and Social Support
- Health and Human Studies
- Justice and Ethics
- Organizational Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 32
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Radiation Sciences
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social Work
- Required Credits: 121-132
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Grad Schools Iowa 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Iowa 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Iowa 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Iowa 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Information Technology
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Iowa
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Iowa 2024
- #6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2024
- #13 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
74%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/24
Career Outlook for degree at Iowa State University
Cost of Degree: $10,133Expenses: $13,339Starting Salary: $56,000Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Iowa State University known for?
Iowa State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- History
Most Influential Alumni
Iowa State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Early childcare education and programming
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Iowa 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Iowa 2024 #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Iowa 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
64%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/23
Career Outlook for degree at University of Northern Iowa
Cost of Degree: $9,411Expenses: $12,577Starting Salary: $49,700Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Northern Iowa known for?
University of Northern Iowa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- History
- Education
- Computer Science
- Business
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Social Work
- Communications
- Literature
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
University of Northern Iowa’s Online Degrees
BAS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 48-53
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Grad Schools Iowa 2024 #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Iowa #8 Best Online Colleges in Iowa 2024 #8 Best Online MBAs in Sustainability
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
50%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Maharishi International University
Cost of Degree: $16,530Expenses: $12,200Starting Salary: $30,400Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Maharishi International University known for?
Maharishi International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Maharishi International University’s Online Degrees
BA in Ayurveda Wellness & Integrative Health
- Required Credits: 50
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Applied Arts & Sciences
Degree Concentrations
- Consciousness and Human Potential
- Sustainable and Regenerative Living
- Cinematic Arts and New Media
- Required Credits: 48
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Cinematic Arts & New Media
- Required Credits: 40
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online