Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Private Colleges in Iowa
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private Colleges in Iowa
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private college in Iowa is Grinnell College, a nationally ranked liberal-arts college whose strong graduation rates, exceptional financial aid, and top outcomes place it among the best small colleges in the country. The Best Value pick is Central College in Pella, which pairs solid liberal-arts outcomes and strong study-abroad programs with a price and aid package that make it one of the most affordable private options in the state.
This list is built for students and families weighing where to enroll among Iowa's private colleges, with a focus on academics, graduation and career outcomes, cost, and fit. Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from U.S. News, the National Center for Education Statistics, Niche, and individual college sources.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each college against the priorities students and families tell admissions offices and survey firms they actually care about, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator, and individual college fact books. The weighting:
- Academic strength and selectivity - 25%
- Graduation and career outcomes - 20%
- Value, cost, and financial aid - 15%
- Faculty and resources - 15%
- Environment and student support - 15%
- Programs and fit - 10%
A college with a famous name but weak graduation rates, or low cost but thin outcomes, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. Grinnell College 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private (Liberal Arts) | Location: Grinnell | Best for: Students seeking a nationally ranked liberal-arts college with elite aid
Grinnell College enrolls roughly 1,700 students and is consistently ranked among the top liberal-arts colleges in the nation. It posts a graduation rate near 88%, a student-faculty ratio near 9:1, and one of the largest per-student endowments of any college its size, which funds need-based aid that meets full demonstrated need.
Its open curriculum, strong outcomes in graduate-school placement, and individualized mentoring define the experience. Graduates pursue top graduate programs and careers across fields.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 88%
- Meets full demonstrated financial need
- Student-faculty ratio near 9:1
- Open curriculum with strong graduate-school placement
Cons:
- Highly selective admission
- Rural location is isolated for some students
Verdict: Grinnell wins on balance - Iowa's most nationally competitive private college with elite aid and outcomes.
2. Drake University
Type: Private (Comprehensive) | Location: Des Moines | Best for: Students wanting professional programs in a capital-city setting
Drake University enrolls roughly 4,800 students and is Iowa's strongest comprehensive private university, known for professional programs in pharmacy, law, business, and journalism. It posts a graduation rate near 78%, a student-faculty ratio near 11:1, and strong career outcomes thanks to its Des Moines location and employer connections.
Its direct-entry pharmacy program and law school are major draws. Graduates land jobs and graduate placements across the Midwest and beyond.
Pros:
- Strong professional programs in pharmacy, law, and business
- Graduation rate near 78%
- Capital-city location with employer connections
- Direct-entry pharmacy pathway
Cons:
- Larger and less intimate than the liberal-arts colleges
- Higher cost than the value picks
Verdict: Iowa's premier comprehensive private university - strong professional programs in a capital-city setting.
3. Central College
Type: Private (Liberal Arts) | Location: Pella | Best for: Students seeking strong liberal-arts outcomes and study abroad at an affordable price 💎 BEST VALUE
Central College in Pella enrolls roughly 1,200 students and is Iowa's strongest-value private college. It posts a graduation rate near 70%, a student-faculty ratio near 12:1, and a nationally regarded study-abroad program with its own international campuses.
Generous merit and need-based aid bring the net price well below the sticker, and strong outcomes in education, biology, and business make it a value standout. Graduates enroll in graduate programs and careers across the Midwest.
Pros:
- Generous aid bringing net price well below sticker
- Graduation rate near 70%
- Nationally regarded study-abroad program
- Strong outcomes in education, biology, and business
Cons:
- Less selective than Grinnell
- Small-town setting is quiet
Verdict: The value champion - strong liberal-arts outcomes and study abroad at an accessible net price.
4. Coe College
Type: Private (Liberal Arts) | Location: Cedar Rapids | Best for: Students wanting a strong liberal-arts college in a mid-size city
Coe College in Cedar Rapids enrolls roughly 1,400 students and is a well-regarded liberal-arts college known for strong programs in the sciences, business, and the arts. It posts a graduation rate near 70%, a student-faculty ratio near 11:1, and strong undergraduate-research and internship opportunities thanks to its city location.
Generous aid keeps net price reasonable. Graduates pursue graduate programs and careers across the region and the country.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 70%
- Strong science, business, and arts programs
- City location with research and internship access
- Generous financial aid
Cons:
- Less national recognition than Grinnell
- Smaller program breadth than universities
Verdict: A strong city liberal-arts college - solid academics with research and internship access.
5. Luther College
Type: Private (Liberal Arts, Lutheran) | Location: Decorah | Best for: Students seeking a strong liberal-arts college with a renowned music program
Luther College in Decorah enrolls roughly 1,800 students and is a Lutheran liberal-arts college famous for its nationally regarded music program and strong sciences. It posts a graduation rate near 75%, a student-faculty ratio near 11:1, and a beautiful bluff-country campus.
Its choral and instrumental ensembles are nationally known, and outcomes in the sciences and pre-health are strong. Generous aid supports affordability for many families.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 75%
- Nationally renowned music program
- Strong sciences and pre-health outcomes
- Scenic campus with generous aid
Cons:
- Rural Decorah location is remote
- Faith-based affiliation may not suit all students
Verdict: A standout liberal-arts college for music and sciences - strong outcomes in a scenic setting.
6. Cornell College
Type: Private (Liberal Arts) | Location: Mount Vernon | Best for: Students drawn to a distinctive one-course-at-a-time block calendar
Cornell College in Mount Vernon enrolls roughly 1,000 students and is distinctive for its One Course At A Time block schedule, where students take a single intensive course for about three and a half weeks. It posts a graduation rate near 68%, a student-faculty ratio near 11:1, and strong experiential learning enabled by the block calendar's flexibility for fieldwork and travel.
Generous aid supports affordability. Graduates pursue graduate programs and careers across many fields.
Pros:
- Distinctive One Course At A Time block calendar
- Strong experiential and field learning
- Student-faculty ratio near 11:1
- Generous financial aid
Cons:
- The block calendar is not for every learner
- Graduation rate trails the top liberal-arts colleges
Verdict: A distinctive block-calendar college - immersive learning for students who want focus and flexibility.
7. Simpson College
Type: Private (Liberal Arts, Methodist) | Location: Indianola | Best for: Students wanting a strong liberal-arts college near Des Moines
Simpson College in Indianola enrolls roughly 1,300 students and is a Methodist liberal-arts college known for strong programs in business, education, and the arts, plus its renowned summer opera program. It posts a graduation rate near 67%, a student-faculty ratio near 12:1, and easy access to Des Moines internships and employers.
Generous aid keeps net price reasonable. Graduates pursue careers and graduate programs across the region.
Pros:
- Strong business, education, and arts programs
- Renowned summer opera program
- Easy access to Des Moines internships
- Generous financial aid
Cons:
- Less national recognition than the top colleges
- Smaller program breadth than universities
Verdict: A solid liberal-arts college near Des Moines - strong programs with metro internship access.
8. Wartburg College
Type: Private (Liberal Arts, Lutheran) | Location: Waverly | Best for: Students seeking strong pre-health and education programs with service focus
Wartburg College in Waverly enrolls roughly 1,500 students and is a Lutheran liberal-arts college known for strong pre-health, education, and music programs and a strong service and leadership focus. It posts a graduation rate near 67%, a student-faculty ratio near 12:1, and solid outcomes in health-professions placement.
Generous aid supports affordability. Graduates pursue graduate and professional programs across the Midwest.
Pros:
- Strong pre-health and education programs
- Graduation rate near 67%
- Service and leadership focus
- Generous financial aid
Cons:
- Small-town Waverly setting is quiet
- Faith-based affiliation may not suit all students
Verdict: A strong pre-health and education college - solid outcomes with a service focus.
9. Loras College
Type: Private (Liberal Arts, Catholic) | Location: Dubuque | Best for: Students wanting a Catholic liberal-arts college with strong advising
Loras College in Dubuque enrolls roughly 1,400 students and is Iowa's oldest college, a Catholic liberal-arts institution known for strong advising, business, and pre-professional programs. It posts a graduation rate near 65%, a student-faculty ratio near 12:1, and a strong mentoring culture.
Generous aid keeps net price reasonable, and its Mississippi River setting in Dubuque adds to campus life. Graduates pursue careers and graduate programs across the region.
Pros:
- Strong advising and mentoring culture
- Solid business and pre-professional programs
- Scenic Dubuque river setting
- Generous financial aid
Cons:
- Graduation rate trails the top colleges
- Faith-based affiliation may not suit all students
Verdict: A Catholic liberal-arts college with strong advising - solid pre-professional outcomes.
10. Buena Vista University
Type: Private (Comprehensive) | Location: Storm Lake | Best for: Students wanting professional programs with strong technology integration
Buena Vista University in Storm Lake enrolls roughly 1,800 students across its main campus and statewide sites and is known for strong business, education, and digital-media programs with an emphasis on technology integration. It posts a graduation rate near 60%, a student-faculty ratio near 13:1, and practical, career-focused programs.
Generous aid and a laptop-included model support affordability. Graduates pursue careers across the Midwest, particularly in business and education.
Pros:
- Strong business, education, and digital-media programs
- Technology-integrated, career-focused model
- Generous aid and laptop-included approach
- Statewide site access for working students
Cons:
- Graduation rate trails the liberal-arts leaders
- Remote Storm Lake main-campus setting
Verdict: A career-focused comprehensive college - practical programs with strong technology integration.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Private College
- Graduation and outcome rates - A college with a high four-year graduation rate and strong graduate-school or career placement signals consistent results, not just selective admissions.
- Net price and financial aid - Sticker prices at private colleges are misleading; check each school's net price calculator and aid generosity, where Grinnell and the value picks shine.
- Selectivity and academic fit - Grinnell is highly selective, while many Iowa privates are more accessible; match the rigor to your profile and goals.
- Program strength - Drake's pharmacy and law, Luther's music, and Central's study abroad are signature programs that may matter more than overall ranking.
- Setting and support - Rural, small-town, and city campuses offer very different experiences; weigh advising, mentoring, and student support.
- Calendar and learning style - Cornell's block calendar suits some learners and not others, so consider how you learn best.
What matters less than marketing implies: a single national ranking number, the newest building, or sticker price alone. Net cost, outcomes, program fit, and the support a student receives affect results far more than a headline figure.
FAQ
Which is the best private college in Iowa overall? Grinnell College earns the top spot for its graduation rate near 88%, aid that meets full demonstrated need, and national reputation among liberal-arts colleges.
What is the best value private college in Iowa? Central College in Pella is our best value - generous aid brings its net price well below sticker, and it pairs a graduation rate near 70% with a nationally regarded study-abroad program.
Which Iowa private college is best for professional programs? Drake University in Des Moines leads for professional programs, with strong offerings in pharmacy, law, business, and journalism and a direct-entry pharmacy pathway.
Which Iowa private college is best for music? Luther College in Decorah is renowned for its choral and instrumental music program, while Simpson College is known for its summer opera program.
Are Iowa private colleges affordable? Sticker prices are high, but most Iowa private colleges offer generous merit and need-based aid; Grinnell meets full demonstrated need, and value picks like Central and Coe bring net prices well below the published rate.
What makes Cornell College different? Cornell College uses a One Course At A Time block calendar, where students take a single intensive course for about three and a half weeks, enabling deep focus and flexible field and travel learning.
Bottom Line
For Iowa families, Grinnell College is our Best Overall private college - its graduation rate near 88%, full-need aid, and national reputation set the state standard. Central College is our Best Value, pairing strong liberal-arts outcomes and study abroad with a net price well below sticker.
If your priority is professional programs, music, or a distinctive block calendar, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Drake, Luther, or Cornell instead. Choose on net cost, outcomes, program fit, and the support a student receives - not a single ranking number - and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Colleges in Iowa
- Niche - Best Private Colleges in Iowa
- NCES College Navigator
- Grinnell College - facts and figures
- Drake University - about
- Central College - facts
- Luther College - about
- Cornell College - One Course At A Time
- Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
*Private colleges in Iowa review - best private colleges Iowa, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for students and families.*