The college explorer
Find a college.
See what it returns.
Look beyond the sticker price. Explore real costs, graduate earnings, and how long a degree takes to pay for itself.
How we measure value3,376colleges to explore
434with a Strong ROI verdict
College Scorecard · 2026 release
Federal figures. Our calculations.
47 matching colleges · Showing 1–24
Compare collegesBrowse by state or territory
Payback guideStrong ≤5 yearsSolid ≤10Slow ≤20Weak >20 or no payback
Iowa 47 matching
View state rankingStrong ROI
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
Net price / year$18,589Payback4.9 years
Solid ROI
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Net price / year$22,531Payback5.5 years
Weak ROI
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA
Net price / year$11,171PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
Net price / year$9,705PaybackNot available
Solid ROI
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
Net price / year$15,901Payback9.3 years
Weak ROI
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA
Net price / year$14,017PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA
Net price / year$9,328PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA
Net price / year$14,629PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA
Net price / year$8,770PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA
Net price / year$9,649PaybackNot available
Strong ROI
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
Net price / year$29,127Payback4.9 years
Slow ROI
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA
Net price / year$20,942Payback19 years
Solid ROI
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA
Net price / year$24,691Payback8.8 years
Weak ROI
Waldorf University
Forest City, IA
Net price / year$19,693Payback28.1 years
Strong ROI
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA
Net price / year$17,648Payback4.9 years
Weak ROI
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, IA
Net price / year$12,347PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar, IA
Net price / year$11,272PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA
Net price / year$25,807Payback24.6 years
Weak ROI
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA
Net price / year$10,693PaybackNot available
Slow ROI
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA
Net price / year$21,774Payback19.5 years
Slow ROI
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA
Net price / year$32,908Payback16.8 years
Weak ROI
University of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
Net price / year$23,386Payback33.1 years
Solid ROI
Luther College
Decorah, IA
Net price / year$23,097Payback8 years
Weak ROI
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA
Net price / year$18,846Payback94.7 years