Best College ROI in Ia 2026
34 colleges in Ia analyzed for return on investment. Grinnell College leads with a ROI Score of 91/100 (STRONG BUY).
Top 20 Colleges by ROI in Ia
| # | School | Best Major | Median Debt | 1yr Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grinnell College(private) | Computer Science | $19K | $95K | A (91) |
| 2 | Dordt University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $20K | $95K | A (90) |
| 3 | Iowa State University(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (90) |
| 4 | Central College(private) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (89) |
| 5 | Drake University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (89) |
| 6 | Loras College(private) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (89) |
| 7 | Luther College(private) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (89) |
| 8 | Northwestern College(private) | Computer Science | $21K | $95K | A (89) |
| 9 | Simpson College(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (89) |
| 10 | University of Iowa(public) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (89) |
| 11 | Wartburg College(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (89) |
| 12 | Morningside University(private) | Computer Programming | $22K | $95K | A (89) |
| 13 | Briar Cliff University(private) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (88) |
| 14 | Clarke University(private) | Computer Science | $23K | $95K | A (88) |
| 15 | Coe College(private) | Computer Science | $23K | $95K | A (88) |
| 16 | Cornell College(private) | Computer Science | $23K | $95K | A (88) |
| 17 | William Penn University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $23K | $95K | A (88) |
| 18 | Grand View University(private) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (88) |
| 19 | Buena Vista University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $24K | $95K | A (87) |
| 20 | Saint Ambrose University(private) | Computer Science | $25K | $95K | A (87) |
College debt and earnings data for Ia is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grinnell College has the best ROI in Ia with a score of 91/100 (STRONG BUY). The top major is Computer Science with $95K in first-year earnings.
The ROI Score (0-100) weighs debt-to-income ratio (35%), earnings premium (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%). Scores are graded A-F with verdicts from "Strong Buy" to "Avoid."
Ia has 34 colleges in our database. Each is analyzed across all available majors to find the best return on your education investment.
ROI Score: debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), debt vs. national average (10%).