Best Iowa Liberal Arts Colleges
Grinnell College ranked first and Wartburg College ranked second in 2025 Liberal Arts Colleges rankings in Iowa. (Read our ranking methodology and know how to rank.)
The following list summarizes the core statistics for top 6 Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa. You can check the schools in the comparison table below.
- The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the top 6 Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa is $68,196.
- The average SAT score is 1,490 and the average acceptance rate is 14.51%.
- The average number of students is 1,788 and the students to faculty ratio is 9 to 1.
- The average graduation rate is 88.00%.
Best Iowa Liberal Arts Colleges Comparison Table
The following table shows Best Iowa Liberal Arts Colleges. You can sort the table by column by clicking/touching column titles and narrow down the college list by using buttons below.
| Rank | College Name | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | Graduate Tuition & Fees | SAT Score | Acceptance Rate | Population | Graduation Rate | Student to Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grinnell College Grinnell, IA | $68,196 | - | 1,490 | 15% | 1,788 | 88% | 9 to 1 |
| 2 | Wartburg College Waverly, IA | $26,250 | $12,000 | 1,030 | 76% | 1,483 | 64% | 13 to 1 |
| 3 | Luther College Decorah, IA | $52,120 | - | 1,215 | 72% | 1,384 | 71% | 9 to 1 |
| 4 | Central College Pella, IA | $20,988 | - | 1,100 | 86% | 1,084 | 66% | 11 to 1 |
| 5 | Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA | $54,666 | - | 1,150 | 64% | 1,195 | 66% | 11 to 1 |
| 6 | Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA | $52,660 | $2,800 | 1,200 | 80% | 1,094 | 62% | 14 to 1 |
| Average | $68,196 | - | 1,490 | 15% | 1,788 | 88% | 9 to 1 |
Iowa Colleges by Ranking and School Type