College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in Iowa
Iowa is home to several great colleges, but the Iowa College ROI rankings can help you find a school that has proven to be worth the high cost of admission.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: Iowa State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$572,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$89,500 | Graduation Rate:74% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,500 |
| Rank:2 | School Name:_50px.gif) University of Iowa (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$514,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$103,000 | Graduation Rate:74% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,400 |
| Rank:3 | School Name:Iowa State University (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$509,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$152,000 | Graduation Rate:74% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,500 |
| Rank:4 | School Name:University of Iowa (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$426,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$191,000 | Graduation Rate:74% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,400 |
| Rank:5 | School Name: Drake University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$385,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$245,000 | Graduation Rate:76% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,800 |
| Rank:6 | School Name: Maharishi University of Management (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$313,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$115,000 | Graduation Rate:50% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$26,900 |
| Rank:7 | School Name: Dordt College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$288,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$194,000 | Graduation Rate:67% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$39,800 |
| Rank:8 | School Name: Central College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$287,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$156,000 | Graduation Rate:71% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$32,500 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Grinnell College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$285,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$300,000 | Graduation Rate:88% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,800 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: University of Northern Iowa (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$273,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$86,000 | Graduation Rate:64% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$26,400 |
In order to create a list of the best value colleges in Iowa, we determined the net 20-year ROI for each one. We derived this figure from the amount of money that graduates earned over a 20-year period. Then, we compared the median earnings to the amount that high school graduates earned over 20 years. Essentially, we’re looking at how much more graduates from specific colleges typically earn compared to high school graduates.
The only state whose east and west borders are formed entirely by rivers, Iowa is covered in rolling hills and acres upon acres of farmland. The birthplace of Western movie star John Wayne, Iowa is home to the University of Iowa, which includes the well-known Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Iowa was also the birthplace of U.S. President Herbert Hoover, author Bill Bryson, Lord of The Rings actor Elijah Wood, and Super Bowl-winning football player Kurt Warner.
Iowa State University typically offers both in-state and out-of-state students a high return on investment for their tuition investment. Located in Ames, Iowa State is roughly 30 miles from Iowa’s capitol city of Des Moines. Ames is also the home of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service’s National Animal Disease Center, and Ames laboratory at ISU played a critical role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project.
Private Drake University is a medium-sized school that gives students the chance to participate in the learning process by cooperating on projects and sharing ideas in class. It also provides students with the chance to engage in several sports, including basketball, tennis and softball.
More rankings for best-value colleges:
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