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2019 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.

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  1. Grinnell College

    • 4 Year
    • Grinnell, IA
    • 388
    1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    Junior: The students are bright, curious, and from a variety of different backgrounds, making Grinnell College an engaging place to live and learn. They are committed to social justice and activism, participating in their courses in a creative and intellectual way that very clearly connects their education to their passions and "real-world" lives. The faculty dedicate a huge amount of time to ensuring their students are receiving the education they need while still reserving time for their own research and writing. However, the administration needs work on the way it communicates with the student body and implements policies, and the location of the college creates a sort of "bubble" that can cause Grinnell to completely absorb the lives of students and faculty.
    Read 388 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 20% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,010 Net Price
    • 1320-1530 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. Luther College

    • 4 Year
    • Decorah, IA
    • 677
    2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    Freshman: Luther College has a very friendly community atmosphere.The professors, and staff really care about their students, and encourage their success. The liberal arts curriculum encourages study in a variety of areas which is great for the student diverse passions and interests. Luther students are extremely active in on campus activities and organizations, and are active in volunteering and promoting causes they believe in. I appreciate Luther's diversity, with a large international student population, but I often find myself wishing there was more diversity in experience and opinion in my classes.
    Working with the housing system at Luther was not always the easiest or best experience when trying to manage toxic rooming situations, and think the housing application should be updated, and procedures changed to give students more flexibility.
    Overall, I have had a good experience at Luther, and hope that it will only improve in the years to come.
    Read 677 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 68% Acceptance Rate
    • $25,404 Net Price
    • 928-1198 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. Coe College

    • 4 Year
    • Cedar Rapids, IA
    • 468
    3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    Junior: I absolutely love Coe! I wasn't sure what I wanted from a college and so I came (from out of state - more than 9 hours away) with the "You can alwaaaays transfer mindset"...... Well, here I am. It is so easy to get involved, to find faculty who care about you, and to take classes you are passionate about. I was very involved in high school, but leaving Coe my resume is going to be stacked - just because they provide you with THAT much opportunity (not saying resumes are the end all be all, but you do have to use them for grad schools or jobs so its something to think about).
    Coe has taught me how to think analytically and independently, which, to me, is the ultimate "return on investment," if you will.
    Read 468 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 50% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,870 Net Price
    • 1020-1270 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. Central College

    • 4 Year
    • Pella, IA
    • 406
    4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    Sophomore: I enjoy the wonderful student-to-teacher ration at Central College (approximately 10:1) and the various resources available for both academic and personal health, such as the writing center and free mental health counseling services. The dedication to academics exhibited by both students and professors here is truly spectacular as well. However, I would like to see a greater emphasis on diversity and intercultural learning at Central College with more events and classes dedicated to these subjects.
    Read 406 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 73% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,695 Net Price
    • 950-1290 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. Cornell College

    • 4 Year
    • Mount Vernon, IA
    • 702
    5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    Sophomore: Cornell College is my second home. Thanks to the friendly teachers, staff and peers, I find myself much more confident and sociable. The campus scene is beautiful all year round. I am the only Vietnamese kid on campus, so sometimes I can feel small and lonely, but no, in Cornell College, I have sources to reach whenever I need. If you are bored after a long day of classes, the best thing to do is to sit on the grass and relax. Cornell College campus scene is beautiful all year round, spring, summer, fall, winter, I never get sick of it.
    The food is diverse, much much better than it used to be around 4-5 years ago. Now everyone can enjoy new variety of food everyday, including Asian, Latin, European food.
    My friends on campus are friendly with LGBT, black and international, so the atmosphere makes everybody feel comfortable. I am very glad that Cornell chose me. My special 4 years <3
    Read 702 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 71% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,915 Net Price
    • 970-1275 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Wartburg College

    • 4 Year
    • Waverly, IA
    • 547
    6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    Sophomore: Wartburg is defiantly worth it! I've met the best friends and people along the way. Everybody makes it feel like home and are so welcoming. There are tons of diversity people on campus and we are all involved in helping them fit in and having the best experience in the states as possible. The teachers are all understanding and want to be a parent influence when you're there since our parents aren't there to help us when it's needed. Overall the education programs are amazing and I can't wait for my Nursing program to start. The food is really good and they have different variety's of food. For example, I am vegetarian so they have vegetarian dishes available everyday 3 times a day. I love Wartburg and I'm glad I chose this school to help me with my education.
    Read 547 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 68% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,416 Net Price
    • 902-1070 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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  9. Simpson College

    • 4 Year
    • Indianola, IA
    • 306

    Sophomore: Simpson offers a variety of majors and activities. The classes are not bigger than 40 students. This allows professors to get to know their students. If a student is struggling, the professors go out of their way to try to help. I have learned that from experience.
    The campus is small and easy to navigate. It feels like a community. Everyone knows each other and are friendly.
    There are lots of clubs and activities to involved with. There seems to be something available for everyone.
    There are also various opportunities to play a varsity sport or participate in intramural sports.
    The classes are challenging and push you to think.
    Read 306 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 85% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,374 Net Price
    • 917-1235 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?