8 colleges in Iowa with an average net price under $20,000 a year, ranked by what families actually pay after aid. Cheapest: Maharishi International University at $14,956.
Net price is the average a family pays after grant aid — not the published sticker price. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Schools granting only associate degrees are excluded, so a community college appears here only if it also awards bachelor's degrees.
Compare these on the map| # | College | Net price / yr | Graduates | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maharishi International University Fairfield, IA |
$14,956$27,892 | 50% | 96% |
| 2 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA |
$15,901$22,278 | 68% | 93% |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell, IA |
$17,648$83,440 | 88% | 15% |
| 4 | Graceland University-Lamoni Lamoni, IA |
$18,504$48,294 | 42% | 81% |
| 5 | Iowa State University Ames, IA |
$18,589$24,018 | 75% | 89% |
| 6 | Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA |
$18,745$67,372 | 66% | 64% |
| 7 | Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA |
$18,846$54,222 | 62% | 78% |
| 8 | Waldorf University Forest City, IA |
$19,693$39,675 | 21% | 77% |