2024 Best Colleges for Psychology in Iowa

• Iowa City, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  3,821 reviews

Sophomore: The University of Iowa is a great school, especially for people interested in pursuing a career in writing like I am. There is a great variety of classes, and the campus and student environment is really great. There are also plenty of organizations and clubs to join as well, which is a great way to get involved on campus and to make friends! There are a bit too many required gen eds in my opinion, especially if you're a double major, but other than that, I love the school so far!... Read 3,821 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $17,599

• SAT range 1130-1350

• Ames, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  3,928 reviews

Alum: I was fortunate to have a number of options for colleges to attend, and am thankful I went with Iowa State! To me, this was the Goldilocks option: big college in a small town with a good balance between academics, social life, clubs, leadership, sports, and other opportunities. The campus is beautiful, the people are nice, the tradition and college spirit are strong. The classes, student jobs, and leadership experiences I held directly prepared me for grad school and my professional career. I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience and always look forward to returning to Ames as an alum.... Read 3,928 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $15,422

• SAT range 1070-1330

• Grinnell, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  439 reviews

Junior: I like to describe myself as an extroverted introvert - I like to socialize and hang out with friends, but I don't like being surrounded by large crowds on a regular basis, like in big universities. Grinnell, in that regard, is amazing. I met many of my close friends here and I am really grateful for all of them. Academically speaking, Grinnell is incredibly rigorous. If you are up to the challenge and are willing to put in the effort to keep your GPA high (yes that will inevitably be harder here than most other colleges), then you're in for a great, challenging, yet rewarding journey that will take you really far whether it be in the corporate or the academic spheres. That being said, one thing I would like to see change is Grinnell's needless focus on their luxurious endowment of 2+ billion dollars. Though that is a lot of money, barely any of it is going towards the students' benefit in my and many of my friends' experiences. Don't let the endowment talks sway your college choice!... Read 439 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $37,423

• SAT range 1370-1530

• Davenport, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  771 reviews

Senior: My St. Ambrose University journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I set foot on its picturesque campus, I knew I was in for an adventure. The academic opportunities and dedicated faculty have not only expanded my knowledge but also ignited a passion for learning. Beyond academics, the tight-knit community at St. Ambrose has fostered personal growth and lasting connections. The warm and welcoming atmosphere made me feel like part of a supportive family, and the staff's genuine care and guidance have been invaluable. Engaging in activities has allowed me to explore my interests, develop leadership skills, and create cherished memories with like-minded individuals. I am grateful for the transformative impact it has had on my life. This remarkable institution has not only prepared me academically but has also nurtured my personal and professional development, instilling in me a lifelong commitment to learning and service.... Read 771 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 72%

• Net price $24,844

• SAT range 1030-1190

• Cedar Falls, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,450 reviews

Sophomore: The University of Northern Iowa is a very small, easy to get around campus that has lots of activities and chances for involvement. I loved that the campus staff, faculty and professors were always there to help students with any needs. All of the advisors were very understanding, encouraging and helpful when going through the process of deciding and changing majors. All of the classrooms are well kept which helps provide a safe learning space. One of my all time favorite aspects was their inclusivity to those with disabilities. As a disabled individual I was worried that going into college I would not receive the accommodations I rely on. However, the campus diversity and inclusion office was great at assuring that I have everything I need. The only thing I would change about this university is professor/student relationships. I would love to be able to connect more to my teachers to get the most out of my education.... Read 1,450 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $15,231

• SAT range 980-1190

• Mount Vernon, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.4 out of 5  751 reviews

Sophomore: I am from San Francisco, and it was a very big change going from California to Iowa but Cornell College really made it feel easy, except for the snow and the cold! I love most of the professors and they are all very dedicated to their subjects and classes. The campus is gorgeous and very nice, if not a bit hilly. The main hub of campus, Thomas Commons, is a nice place to relax every once in a while when I don’t want to go to my dorm room or just want a place to sit for a bit. I like the sense of comfort I have when walking around campus and the student body, a feeling probably started by our incredibly kind President Brand. While the upperclassmen dorms are a bit rough, they’re okay and livable (sometimes, hahaha). Overall there is little I’d change; I really do feel supported here both as a person and as a student.... Read 751 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 81%

• Net price $22,667

• SAT range 1130-1340

• Dubuque, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  376 reviews

Sophomore: Most of the teachers are awesome! The administration is lacking competency unfortunately, especially when it comes to financial aid/tuition issues or credit transfers. The campus is pretty old, and most of the buildings do not have A/C. Although the campus terrain is beautiful, it is incredibly hilly and a bit treacherous in the winter months with steep inclines and lots of steps. As such, the campus overall is not ADA-compliant unless one drives and parks directly in front of the desired building--not walkable.... Read 376 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 72%

• Net price $20,068

• SAT range 960-1140

• Dubuque, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  381 reviews

Senior: As being a transfer student, I already knew the atmosphere of what it was like to be a college student, but when coming to Clarke University I felt welcomed in right away. I didn't feel like just a number added to the University, instead I felt I was known. The campus and student life does a great job of encouraging students to support other sports teams, hosts free events for students to attend, and has lots of clubs/organizations to get students involved. Clarke University feels more like a big community and continues each year to find ways to create that community like atmosphere for the students. Professors, coaches, counselors, etc all want their students to feel the safe, and get the best education to succeed. If you are an individual who isn't meant for a huge campus, big classroom size, and being known as just a number than Clarke University is a place for you. There is so much here at Clarke that keeps you involved in the community and be known as an individual person!... Read 381 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 89%

• Net price $25,414

• SAT range 900-1120

• Des Moines, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  982 reviews

Alum: The best part of my Drake experience is that they catered to the phase of my life I was in. For the first two years, I was provided a lot of hands-on experience and guidance from trusted advisors. They taught the importance of internships, networking, building a community on campus and finding close friendships to help me get through the challenges of being away at college. I thrived in this nurturing environment. Going into my third year, I found a passion for international business and language. It was encouraged to pursue passions beyond your major coursework and I can't say enough good things about the experiences I was able to have. I found leadership opportunities and found myself helping younger students achieve and build their passions. Upon graduation, I believe that helped me land my first position immediately in a field and role I love. I can't say enough good things about the curriculum, activities, advisors and peers at this university!... Read 982 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 69%

• Net price $29,507

• SAT range 1190-1410

• Forest City, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  140 reviews

Freshman: I love Waldorf University, everyone is so welcoming! The facility is beautiful and the faculty goes above and beyond for their students. There is so much diversity amongst the students too, which i personally love because you meet so many new people. As a student athlete, Waldorf makes balancing life easier with the guidance from academic advisors and coaches. Waldrof University is for everyone and anyone with passion and devotion to succeed... Read 140 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 72%

• Net price $21,483

• SAT range 920-1110

• Orange City, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  387 reviews

Junior: My experience at Northwestern has been great! The first thing I noticed was how genuine the people are here. I am from Bozeman, Montana and I knew that if I was going to come so far from home I needed a strong support group at college. I can confidently say that I have found that here at Northwestern. There is such a strong Christ-centered community here which was exactly what I was looking for. I am a junior nursing major and I have had a great experience in the classroom and at clinicals in the area. The small student to professor ratio opens up more opportunities for one-on-one interactions. I feel the support of all of my professors to thrive in the classroom.... Read 387 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $24,848

• SAT range 940-1240

• Sioux Center, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  414 reviews

Alum: Dordt isn't perfect (no college is), but in my experience as a student for 4 years, I loved it. Dordt is a school that puts faith first and they really invest in making people feel welcomed and known. I was challenged, encouraged, and supported the whole way through by faculty and staff, both academically, professionally, and spiritually. I met all of my lifelong friends here and due to the relationships built with my professors, I'd consider some of them friends too. After graduation, I felt prepared with the proper professional tools/skills to work in the field I am now. Yeah, Dordt is located in rural Iowa, but there was never a week that I was bored! There was always something to do with my friends. I loved the small class sizes, events, opportunities to get involved, academic quality, my study abroad program, the Christian atmosphere, and the community. I grew so much during my time here and I recommend Dordt to anyone who's looking for these things too.... Read 414 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $26,662

• SAT range 1050-1290

• Decorah, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  765 reviews

Freshman: The community feeling at Luther College is exceptional. The friendly nature of both students and staff makes it easy to feel at home. The campus is small enough that one can recognize familiar faces while walking across it. Events such as Homecoming Week serve to create a sense of unity among the student body. Likewise, traditions like Christmas at Luther demonstrate how the college strives to make everyone feel included in celebrations regardless of religious affiliation or cultural background. Cultural opportunities are abundant at Luther College. Several events throughout the year celebrate music, dance, and other performing arts forms from different cultures worldwide. For instance, Nordic Fest takes place every summer where visitors can learn about Scandinavian culture through food vendors, exhibits displaying Viking artifacts and demonstrations on Norwegian weaving techniques by experienced local weavers.... Read 765 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $25,929

• SAT range 1070-1270

• Sioux City, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  486 reviews

Sophomore: Morningside is a great university to attend! I have loved it there last year and it is definitely a good place for anyone looking to continue their education. It offers many wonderful opportunities that not only allow for a great education, but experiences like different ways to be involved in the community.... Read 486 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 74%

• Net price $23,222

• SAT range 880-1120

• Cedar Rapids, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  520 reviews

Freshman: Nestled in the vibrant city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Coe College stands as a distinguished institution of higher learning, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and character development. Since its founding in 1851, Coe College has been an educational beacon, dedicated to shaping well-rounded individuals prepared to tackle the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. One of Coe College's defining features is its strong academic programs, which provide students with a comprehensive and rigorous education. The college offers a diverse range of undergraduate majors and minors across various disciplines, ensuring that students can explore their passions and discover new intellectual horizons. Whether pursuing studies in the humanities, sciences, arts, or business, Coe College provides a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and analytical skills.... Read 520 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $19,141

• SAT range 1080-1300

• Pella, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  453 reviews

Sophomore: Central College provides students with great educational and learning opportunities. The academics are top tear. The professors care about their students success and work hard to create personal relationships. Pella is close to many large towns and cities, so there ate many opportunities for internships and job shadowing.... Read 453 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 75%

• Net price $22,966

• SAT range 1000-1260

• Storm Lake, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  360 reviews

Sophomore: I liked the classes and professors very much. I was a part of their softball team and that ruined the experience for me. The softball coach, Sarah Richardson, was not a very good coach at all. She didn’t know how to coach a softball team and couldn’t run practices. She was overall a terrible coach and left our team with a conference record of 2-14. Lots of girls, including myself, are entering the transfer portal to try to play for a better coach with more skills. The school and learning environment overall was very good, but the athletics there are not good.... Read 360 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 66%

• Net price $18,532

• SAT range 950-1110

• Lamoni, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  335 reviews

Freshman: Graceland is a very diverse place with a large number of students being international and a good mix of locals and people from around the United States. A true positive is that the vast majority of these people are extremely polite. And this really helps Graceland carry a culture of maintaining a positive learning environment. A downfall of Graceland has to be the lack of activities/variance in food. Often COSA attempts a large variety of activities for students to participate in and the commons does a decent job of providing three meals a day. The problem here is that many of COSA's events occur during or directly after practice hours. This is confusing as the majority of Graceland student population is athletes. As far as the food goes, there isn't much in the way of variety and it can be hard to find a meal that suits your wants. However, I would like to maintain that Graceland gives students a rare opportunity to compete at the collegiate level and earn a good degree.... Read 335 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $18,595

• SAT range 880-1120

• Des Moines, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  399 reviews

Freshman: I thought Grand View was amazing! I love the community, being from a small town in the Midwest. Grand View was the perfect size and in the perfect area, because Des Moines is a “country big city.” I also really loved the small class sizes and the way the professors personally connected to the students. They understood that we have our own lives and they took that into consideration when dealing with our schoolwork.... Read 399 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $20,434

• SAT range 920-1080

• Cedar Rapids, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  293 reviews

Freshman: Mount Mercy is a great university. The staff and students are friendly. The professors really care about your success and do everything they can to make sure you are successful. There are so many resources available to students like ACE (Academic Center for Excellence), the Mustang Market, and office hours with professors. By utilizing these things, I was able to make it through my freshman year of college.... Read 293 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 81%

• Net price $25,345

• SAT range —

• Waverly, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  633 reviews

Alum: My experience at Wartburg positively changed who I was as a person primarily because of the community and amount of support that faculty and staff put into their students: the effort you put in you truly receive in return! I had multiple opportunities to put a part of something that I truly felt I belonged in: choirs, work studies, clubs/organizations, connecting with alumni and prospective students, so many second families I cherish. I was also a part of the COVID student population, and while that was a trying time for us all, I always felt safe and reassured by the efforts Wartburg made to make sure we could return to normalcy as quickly as possible while following guidelines. If I had the chance to go back to college and redo my undergraduate degree, I would absolutely choose Wartburg again and again for the people, the experiences, and the love that Wartburg showed me and I show back now!... Read 633 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $23,022

• SAT range 990-1200

• Indianola, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  360 reviews

Freshman: Simpson College excels in providing a unique and welcoming experience. Any student who attends Simpson is sure to agree with the previous statement, and also probably mention the wide variety of inclusive groups and organizations. Athletics, music, extracurriculars, and clubs are just some of the options available and many students such as myself enjoy the variety. The faculty at Simpson have also contributed to my experience greatly. Smaller class sizes and faculty that truly cares about helping you succeed has impacted me so much more than I thought it would. Talking to professors whenever I need help, or going into office hours is way less daunting because of the effort Simpson College and its faculty bring to the table. Overall, I am incredibly happy with Simpson College and recommend it to not just anyone interested in going to a liberal arts college, but anyone who cares about being supported as a student and an individual.... Read 360 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $20,986

• SAT range 890-1280

• Dubuque, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.42 out of 5  434 reviews

Freshman: I have loved it here! University of Dubuque is beautiful and the workers work hard to keep it clean and well kept. Also, the professors and students are all friendly and wants to see everyone succeed. The University also incorporates God's word in the teachings. God is an important aspect in the community and school. Everyone there wants to see the students succeed and thrive.... Read 434 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $24,868

• SAT range 840-1070

• Sioux City, IA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  212 reviews

Sophomore: Briar Cliff University is a small private 4 year institution. With staff that are dedicated with making sure that the students have what they need and hold them accountable for making it to their classes and completing coursework. The ratio of student to professor is small, with 1 professor to 24 students, which allows more of a 1:1 ratio when you need assistance. With an active student government, the students voice is heard and charges made immediately after a problem is identified and addressed. Briar Cliff University is your home away from home with a beautiful scenery. Tuition lock on all incoming students making you keep your 1st year tuition all 4 years, making Briar Cliff University very affordable!... Read 212 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $21,734

• SAT range —

• Ankeny, IA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  1,012 reviews

Sophomore: The professors and TRio advisors are absolutely amazing! They were extremely understanding and gentle with me during my first semester back to school. They made sure I was aware of any and all assistance available to me, especially if it would benefit my grades and GPA. DMACC is an overall great choice for any high-school graduate or adult that wants to further their education!... Read 1,012 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,667

• SAT range —