2021 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in IowaAbout this List

The Best Liberal Arts Colleges ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares more than 200 top liberal arts colleges in the U.S. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Best Colleges

7 results

Grinnell College
4 Year
Grinnell, IA
Rating 3.76 out of 5 423 reviews
#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa
Freshman: Grinnell has a whole has been an incredible experience so far. The people are absolutely incredible, the campus is wonderful, and the academics are very strong with all things considered about the pandemic. Grinnell truly feels like home and it is a place where I feel that the other students and teachers truly care about you. The administration is definitely not perfect but I am 100% happy with choice to attend Grinnell!
Read 423 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
23% Acceptance Rate
$29,404 Net Price
1370-1530 SAT Range
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Virtual Tour
Luther College
4 Year
Decorah, IA
Rating 3.74 out of 5 732 reviews
#2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa
Freshman: My first year at Luther was a little weird because of Covid, but the school did a great job of handling the situation so that we could all still be on campus and have in person classes which made a huge difference! The campus is so beautiful, the professors are very passionate on their subjects, and the town of Decorah is a really commuter-friendly place.
Read 732 Reviews
grade A minus
Overall Niche Grade
62% Acceptance Rate
$23,805 Net Price
1030-1260 SAT Range
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Cornell College
4 Year
Mount Vernon, IA
Rating 3.39 out of 5 728 reviews
#3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa
Freshman: I have only been at Cornell for a couple of months now, but I love Cornell! The block plan allows for an intensive and in-depth education on each subject. The professors are amazing and are so willing to help students all of the time. The resources at Cornell are very helpful and easy to obtain. Cornell is a freeing place and allows people to be themselves with no judgement. Cornell is a judgement free zone and accepts everyone for who they are. Cornell has allowed me to meet some amazing people and friends, make important life-long connections, and set me up for a successful future. I'm making the most of my Cornell experience, and I'm very happy that I chose to attend Cornell over my other choices. I'm excited to continue my education at Cornell, and I can't wait to see what the next four years have in store for me!
Read 728 Reviews
grade A minus
Overall Niche Grade
62% Acceptance Rate
$28,566 Net Price
1100-1340 SAT Range
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Coe College
4 Year
Cedar Rapids, IA
Rating 3.69 out of 5 492 reviews
#4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa
Freshman: Coe is amazing! The building might not be the newest and the city might not be the biggest, but the people at Coe are wonderful, hands down the best people I've ever met. From professors to acquaintances, everyone says hi, the professors don't just care about your grades, but they care about your success and your health, both mentally and physically. Coe is not just a college, but a family. No other college will welcome you so warmly, treat you like an equal, and make you feel loved and cared for as Coe does.
Read 492 Reviews
grade B+
Overall Niche Grade
63% Acceptance Rate
$21,081 Net Price
1080-1300 SAT Range
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Central College
4 Year
Pella, IA
Rating 3.68 out of 5 437 reviews
#5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa
Niche User: I love the visit! It honestly feels like home. The professors are very knowledgeable and confident about what they teach. In addition, the student life is fantastic because it is so easy to make friends and to adjust to student life. Another reason is that the faculty/admissions is supporting and willing to help any student. They take you step by step through financial and academic help. I cannot wait to adapt to the new student life in 2020, to make new friends, and pursue my academic career.
Read 437 Reviews
grade B
Overall Niche Grade
65% Acceptance Rate
$23,343 Net Price
980-1240 SAT Range
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Wartburg College
4 Year
Waverly, IA
Rating 3.54 out of 5 599 reviews
#6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa
Freshman: I am attending there this fall. I love Wartburg because the staff knows me, even though I am not an official student. Whenever I have questions about the coming school year, the people I email respond almost immediately. The music department is wonderful and cares for its students. The art department has a lot of variety in classes and people involved. There are plenty of on-campus job opportunities, along with many places close to campus to work. I already have a job for this coming fall that I am extremely excited for!
Read 599 Reviews
grade B
Overall Niche Grade
75% Acceptance Rate
$22,363 Net Price
1040-1220 SAT Range
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Simpson College
4 Year
Indianola, IA
Rating 3.57 out of 5 337 reviews
Freshman: I really enjoy the atmosphere at Simpson College. Everyone from the professors to the kitchen staff are all very kind and helpful, especially as a first year this was very much appreciated. The biology professors are my favorite and I am really glad that I chose this school. However, the fact is that it is a very expensive institution, and they for some reason decided that it would be a good decision to raise expenses next year for tuition and housing without adding to or improving anything. I just think that this was a poor decision to make, and many students I know are considering leaving due to the continuing increase in expenses without improvement, especially in the food department. Unless you go to Tyler's on campus, your food is likely to be very bland, and at times, undercooked.
Read 337 Reviews
grade B minus
Overall Niche Grade
80% Acceptance Rate
$20,145 Net Price
1030-1250 SAT Range
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Wartburg College
4 Year
Waverly, IA
Rating 3.54 out of 5 599 reviews
Freshman: I am attending there this fall. I love Wartburg because the staff knows me, even though I am not an official student. Whenever I have questions about the coming school year, the people I email respond almost immediately. The music department is wonderful and cares for its students. The art department has a lot of variety in classes and people involved. There are plenty of on-campus job opportunities, along with many places close to campus to work. I already have a job for this coming fall that I am extremely excited for!
Read 599 Reviews
grade B
Overall Niche Grade
75% Acceptance Rate
$22,363 Net Price
1040-1220 SAT Range
Will You Get In?Compare
Virtual Tour
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2021 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in IowaAbout this List

Best Programs

Students

Social Scene

Campus

Athletics

Grinnell College

Luther College

Cornell College

Coe College

Central College

Wartburg College

Simpson College

Wartburg College