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2022 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

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  1. Grinnell College

    • 4 Year
    • GRINNELL, IA
    • 426 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 426 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 23% Acceptance Rate
    • $29,404 Net Price
    • 1370-1530 SAT Range
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  2. Luther College

    • 4 Year
    • DECORAH, IA
    • 738 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 738 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 62% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,805 Net Price
    • 1030-1260 SAT Range
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  3. Cornell College

    • 4 Year
    • MOUNT VERNON, IA
    • 731 reviews
    #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    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 731 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 62% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,566 Net Price
    • 1100-1340 SAT Range
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  4. Coe College

    • 4 Year
    • CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
    • 499 reviews
    #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    Alum: Coe is a great college for students who are serious about getting a broad education and about learning from both professors and other students. The work load is not light. This is a rewarding school for those who organize themselves and put in the effort. The school provides a great foundation for medicine, law, business, education, science research and many other occupations. This is not a school for someone who knows all the answers, has been pampered, or is narrow minded. This is a great school to learn about yourself, about others, how to distinguish between fact and opinion, and how to evaluate alternatives and develop even more options...Read 499 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 63% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,081 Net Price
    • 1080-1300 SAT Range
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  5. Central College

    • 4 Year
    • PELLA, IA
    • 441 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 441 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 65% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,343 Net Price
    • 980-1240 SAT Range
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  6. Wartburg College

    • 4 Year
    • WAVERLY, IA
    • 606 reviews
    #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa

    Freshman: Wartburg with the small class sizes you can get a lot of attention with professors which is nice. They also have fantastic athletic programs and facilities that make the events fun to attend. Food is pretty good and there are plenty of options each day. I just wish there was more told to students about what certain clubs or events were happening around town or the school so we could attend. Lastly wish they would do a bit better on the sustainability on campus. Overall great though!...Read 606 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 75% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,363 Net Price
    • 1040-1220 SAT Range
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  7. Simpson College

    • 4 Year
    • INDIANOLA, IA
    • 341 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 341 Reviews

    • B minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 80% Acceptance Rate
    • $20,145 Net Price
    • 1030-1250 SAT Range
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    Radford University

    • 4 Year
    • RADFORD, VA
    • 1,591 reviews

    Junior: Radford is a good school with great professors, great buildings, and a great fraternity and sorority life. I did not enjoy Radford as much as I do now being in a sorority. The food is average and you will most most likely get stuck in Muse, with no A/C. Most of the students are friendly and you are sure going to get along with your classmates! The school is small but big at the same time! You will end up knowing most people in your major!...Read 1,591 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 75% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,981 Net Price
    • 890-1060 SAT Range
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