2026 Best Teaching Schools in Iowa
Looking for the best Teaching degree programs in Iowa? We have ranked 75 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search analyzed 69 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Teaching Degree Schools in Iowa
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Northwestern College Iowa to be the best Teaching school in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange City, IA. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,710. Northwestern College Iowa Teaching students take on a median of $25,415 in debt. Get the full Northwestern College Iowa report
You'll be in good company at Drake University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. Drake University posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Drake University report
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #3 on this year's Teaching ranking in Iowa. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. University Of Northern Iowa Teaching students take on a median of $22,635 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
The strong Teaching programs at Wartburg College earned it the #4 place in Iowa. Based in Waverly, IA, Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. The median Teaching program debt is $26,793. Read more about Wartburg College
A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the top choices in Iowa. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,495. See the full Iowa State University profile
University Of Iowa landed the #6 spot in Iowa this year. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. University Of Iowa Teaching students take on a median of $24,463 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Simpson College did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Indianola, IA. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,656. The median Teaching program debt is $26,816. Read more about Simpson College
Loras College placed #8 among Teaching schools in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dubuque, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Loras College Teaching students take on a median of $26,528 in debt. Get the full Loras College report
Buena Vista University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Storm Lake, IA, Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Buena Vista University Teaching students take on a median of $29,317 in debt. Read the full report on Buena Vista University
Dordt College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Sioux Center, IA, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dordt College graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Dordt College report
Mount Mercy University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cedar Rapids, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $27,709. Get the full Mount Mercy University report
Saint Ambrose University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Davenport, IA, Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Saint Ambrose University profile
Grand View University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,762. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,941. Get the full Grand View University report
Briar Cliff University did well this year, earning the #14 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux City, IA. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,642. Students borrow a median of $29,918 to complete their Teaching program here. More on Briar Cliff University
Morningside College landed the #15 spot in Iowa this year. Based in Sioux City, IA, Morningside College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. The median Teaching program debt is $27,281. Read the full report on Morningside College
University Of Dubuque placed #16 among Teaching schools in Iowa. Located in Dubuque, IA, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dubuque graduates 40% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,095. The median Teaching program debt is $27,204. Get the full University Of Dubuque report
Upper Iowa University placed #17 among Teaching schools in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fayette, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $34,059 in student loans. More on Upper Iowa University
William Penn University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. William Penn University is a private not-for-profit school based in Oskaloosa, IA. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. William Penn University Teaching students take on a median of $28,341 in debt. Get the full William Penn University report
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines placed #19 among Teaching schools in Iowa. Read more about Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines
Capri College Davenport ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Get the full Capri College Davenport report
Mercy College Of Health Sciences placed #21 among Teaching schools in Iowa. Read the full report on Mercy College Of Health Sciences
Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City landed the #22 spot in Iowa this year. See the full Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City profile
Graceland University Lamoni ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. More on Graceland University Lamoni
E Q School Of Hair Design came in at #24 in this year's ranking. More on E Q School Of Hair Design
Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport placed #25 among Teaching schools in Iowa. Read the full report on Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport
Rest of the Top 50 Best Teaching Degree Schools in Iowa
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #26 in this year's ranking. More on Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary
American Hair Academy did well this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on American Hair Academy
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. See the full Western Iowa Tech Community College profile
Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Get the full Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center report
Divine Word College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. See the full Divine Word College profile
Kirkwood Community College landed the #31 spot in Iowa this year. See the full Kirkwood Community College profile
La James International College Ft Dodge did well this year, earning the #32 position. More on La James International College Ft Dodge
Allen College
Allen College placed #33 among Teaching schools in Iowa. Read more about Allen College
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #34 in this year's ranking. More on Eastern Iowa Community College District
Waldorf College
Waldorf College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Get the full Waldorf College report
St Lukes College
St Lukes College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. See the full St Lukes College profile
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Get the full Iowa Lakes Community College report
Hamilton Technical College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Hamilton Technical College
Cornell College
Cornell College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. More on Cornell College
Central College
Central College placed #40 among Teaching schools in Iowa. Read the full report on Central College
The Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls landed the #41 spot in Iowa this year. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls report
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #42 in this year's ranking. More on Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
La James International College Davenport did well this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about La James International College Davenport
Mercy St Lukes School Of Radiologic Technology placed #44 among Teaching schools in Iowa. Read more about Mercy St Lukes School Of Radiologic Technology
La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology landed the #45 spot in Iowa this year. Read more about La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology
Capri College Dubuque ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Get the full Capri College Dubuque report
Ellsworth Community College placed #47 among Teaching schools in Iowa. Read more about Ellsworth Community College
Emmaus Bible College landed the #48 spot in Iowa this year. Get the full Emmaus Bible College report
Iowa Central Community College landed the #49 spot in Iowa this year. Read more about Iowa Central Community College
La James International College Johnston ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Get the full La James International College Johnston report
More Teaching Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 69 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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