A Degree from these Iowa Colleges Will Cost You Over $200,000!

With all of the talk lately about student loans and the start of the fall semester, we did some research to determine the most expensive colleges in Iowa.

Attending a four-year college or university in Iowa is not cheap. However, most college admissions claim that many students receive financial benefits to offset the costs. So the listed tuition, fees, and expenses do not reflect the final price the student pays to attend the institutions listed below.

Still, this article reflects the total listed cost per each school's website, including tuition, room, and board or estimated off-campus living expenses, books, supplies, and other fees.

Before diving into the most expensive Iowa colleges, let's look at Iowa's three state universities. 

According to the Univesity of Iowa website, Iowa residents will pay approximately. 

• Tuition & fees $10,353
• Housing & meals $11,476

Total billed expenses $21,829

OTHER ESTIMATED EXPENSES

• Books & Supplies $950
• Personal expenses $3,078
• Transportation $1,026

Total Estimated Expenses $5,054

TOTAL COST $26,833

Iowa State University comes in slightly lower at $23,472, while the University of Northern Iowa estimates an even lower $21,294 price tag.

While still significant, those numbers remain a relative bargain. But the top private colleges in Iowa may likely induce sticker shock.

#6 Luther College - Decorah, Iowa

The comprehensive fee for the 2022-23 academic year is $58,830. This breaks down as follows:

• Tuition $47,510
• Double Room $5,020
• Board $5,650
• Technology Fee $420
• Health & Wellbeing Fee $230

*School officials point out that 99% of Luther students receive financial assistance. The average total assistance offered to qualify new students was $43,642 in the fall of 2021.

#5 Wartburg College - Waverly, Iowa

• Wartburg College Tuition: $46,740
• Student Support Services Fee: $2,450
• Room (approx) $5,900
• Board (approx) $4,380

TOTAL $59,470  Learn more wartburg.edu

#4 Drake University - Des Moines

The website is less than straightforward on the costs, but one google search delivered a price of $60,328 for the 2022-23 academic year. However, Drake does have a tuition guarantee stating that a student's tuition will not increase during their academic career. Learn more drake.edu

#3 Coe College - Cedar Rapids

The total of $61,584 is eye-popping for sure. Still, the Coe website says the average financial aid package awarded to incoming first-year students in the fall of 2021 was $49,035. This figure may include any combination of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study. Last year 99.7% of incoming students received financial aid from Coe. Learn more coe.edu

#2 Cornell College - Mt. Vernon, Iowa

The price to attend is $63,936. However, the school also states that 99% of Cornell students receive financial assistance that reduces their overall costs. Learn more cornellcollege.edu

#1 Grinnell College - Grinnell, Iowa

The state of Iowa's most expensive private four-year school is Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, costing $79,228 per academic year. grinnell.edu

None of this suggests that the education and facilities aren't worth the cost of attending these fine Iowa colleges. Additionally, most schools typically offer financial packages, grants, and scholarships to lower the final price. 

Still, these overall costs are pretty extraordinary and reflect that a four-year degree may likely be costly under any circumstance.