Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

17 Best Universities in Iowa State

Our data-driven ranking evaluates 17 elite institutions across Iowa State to determine true academic prominence. The algorithmic evaluation processed 382.8K scholarly outputs and 12.07M peer-reviewed citations, mapping the region's total research impact. The ranking also highlights the real-world influence of these universities, represented by 68.5K notable alumni globally.

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1

Iowa City

University of Iowa

#49 in United States #53 in North America

84% Acceptance

22,738 Enrollment

1230 Avg SAT

1847 Founded

2

Ames

Iowa State University

#53 in United States #57 in North America

89% Acceptance

25,628 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1858 Founded

3

Cedar Falls

University of Northern Iowa

#305 in United States #338 in North America

93% Acceptance

5,734 Enrollment

1150 Avg SAT

1876 Founded

4

Des Moines, IA

Drake University

#396 in United States #442 in North America

64% Acceptance

16,744 Enrollment

1230 Avg SAT

1881 Founded

5

Davenport

Palmer College of Chiropractic

#712 in United States #779 in North America

49% Acceptance

511 Enrollment

$23,515 Net Price

6

Des Moines, IA

Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center

#736 in United States #804 in North America

23% Acceptance

2,109 Enrollment

1336 Avg SAT

1898 Founded

7

Fairfield, IA

Maharishi University of Management

#875 in United States #944 in North America

96% Acceptance

922 Enrollment

1310 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

8

Dubuque

Clarke University

#891 in United States #961 in North America

72% Acceptance

1,631 Enrollment

1030 Avg SAT

1843 Founded

9

Davenport

Saint Ambrose University

#1009 in United States #1082 in North America

77% Acceptance

6,045 Enrollment

1050 Avg SAT

1882 Founded

10

Sioux

Morningside College

#1039 in United States #1113 in North America

71% Acceptance

1,172 Enrollment

1141 Avg SAT

1894 Founded

11

Dubuque

University of Dubuque

#1279 in United States #1357 in North America

89% Acceptance

1,440 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1852 Founded

12

Lamoni

Graceland University – Lamoni

#1319 in United States #1397 in North America

81% Acceptance

798 Enrollment

1185 Avg SAT

1895 Founded

13

Cedar Rapids

Mount Mercy University

#1454 in United States #1539 in North America

83% Acceptance

4,397 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1928 Founded

14

Sioux

Briar Cliff University

#1473 in United States #1559 in North America

100% Acceptance

766 Enrollment

1141 Avg SAT

1930 Founded

15

Waterloo, IA

#1721 in United States #1809 in North America

86% Acceptance

25,916 Enrollment

1010 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

16

Ankeny

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

#2128 in United States #2225 in North America

68% Acceptance

551 Enrollment

1090 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

17

Kalona

Shiloh University

#2419 in United States #2520 in North America

91% Acceptance