Best Value Biology Colleges in Iowa

Grinnell College stands out among Iowa's biology programs with an acceptance rate of just 10.76%, yet its graduates earn $31,799 while carrying only $17,500 in debt. This selective private college offers biology students strong value at a net price of $15,608, making it more affordable than many public options. At the other end of the spectrum, University of Northern Iowa provides the most accessible path with a 94.95% acceptance rate and the lowest net cost at $14,609. Biology graduates across Iowa's 20 programs earn between $23,110 and $38,906, with the state's agriculture and biotechnology sectors creating strong demand for life sciences professionals. Companies like Principal Financial increasingly seek biology graduates for roles in health analytics and risk assessment. The $15,433 gap between the most and least expensive programs reflects Iowa's mix of elite private colleges and affordable public universities, giving students multiple pathways to enter fields ranging from agricultural research to pharmaceutical development.

Programs

$14,609 – $30,042

Net Price Range

$32,017

Avg. Program Earnings

59.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Grinnell College Grinnell, Iowa	$15,608	$31,799	$64,862	87.5%	10.8%
2	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa	$14,609	$29,685	$9,728	68.9%	95.0%
3	Coe College Cedar Rapids, Iowa	$19,155	$36,560	$52,576	59.0%
4	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$32,108	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
5	Morningside University Sioux City, Iowa	$23,169	$38,906	$38,190	52.8%	70.6%
6	University of Dubuque Dubuque, Iowa	$23,250	$37,748	$40,065	41.1%	85.1%
7	University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa	$21,398	$33,459	$10,964	73.1%	86.0%
8	Central College Pella, Iowa	$22,353	$32,119	$20,988	69.2%	79.2%
9	Grand View University Des Moines, Iowa	$21,616	$30,228	$33,450	55.8%	98.4%
10	Wartburg College Waverly, Iowa	$22,604	$30,771	$51,040	66.8%	97.5%
11	Simpson College Indianola, Iowa	$22,231	$28,960	$46,212	65.7%	89.1%
12	Drake University Des Moines, Iowa	$30,042	$30,771	$49,944	77.3%	67.2%
13	Luther College Decorah, Iowa	$25,635	$23,110	$50,320	75.0%	75.3%
14	William Penn University Oskaloosa, Iowa	$22,115		$28,750	29.2%	57.7%
15	Upper Iowa University Fayette, Iowa	$23,172		$19,000	41.5%	54.2%
16	Saint Ambrose University Davenport, Iowa	$22,750		$35,598	62.8%	73.9%
17	Waldorf University Forest City, Iowa	$21,683		$25,220	29.0%	73.9%
18	Northwestern College Orange City, Iowa	$23,519		$35,300	63.6%	87.3%
19	Briar Cliff University Sioux City, Iowa	$21,590		$35,534	49.4%
20	Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids, Iowa	$23,435		$39,070	55.9%	75.3%
21	Loras College Dubuque, Iowa	$21,057		$38,298	69.9%	89.8%
22	Graceland University-Lamoni Lamoni, Iowa	$15,975		$33,220	38.3%	74.5%
23	Dordt University Sioux Center, Iowa	$25,383		$35,960	65.3%	87.7%
24	Cornell College Mount Vernon, Iowa	$25,079		$50,634	71.7%	79.3%
25	Clarke University Dubuque, Iowa	$20,068		$39,600	54.9%	84.8%
26	Buena Vista University Storm Lake, Iowa	$18,321		$40,190	47.3%	77.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Grinnell College such good value for biology students despite its selectivity?

Grinnell accepts only 10.76% of applicants but offers generous financial aid that brings the net price to $15,608, lower than many public schools. Biology graduates earn $31,799 annually while carrying just $17,500 in debt, creating an excellent return on investment. The college's small size and endowment allow for substantial need-based aid that makes this elite education surprisingly affordable.

How do Iowa's public universities compare for biology value?

University of Northern Iowa offers the best public value with a net cost of $14,609 and 94.95% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most students. Iowa State University costs slightly more at $18,165 but provides higher graduate earnings of $32,108 compared to UNI's $29,685. The University of Iowa falls in between at $21,398 net cost with graduates earning $33,459, reflecting its research university status.

Does higher cost always mean better outcomes for biology graduates?

Not necessarily in Iowa's biology programs. Morningside University has the highest graduate earnings at $38,906 despite a moderate net cost of $23,169, while Luther College charges $25,635 but produces the lowest-earning graduates at $23,110. Drake University costs the most at $30,042 yet its biology graduates earn only $30,771, showing that price doesn't guarantee higher salaries.

What explains the wide range in graduation rates among Iowa biology programs?

Graduation rates span from 29.20% at William Penn University to 87.50% at Grinnell College, largely reflecting selectivity and resources. More selective schools like Grinnell and Drake maintain rates above 75%, while open-admission schools struggle with retention. Iowa State University achieves a solid 75.50% graduation rate despite accepting 90.22% of applicants, demonstrating strong support systems for biology students.

Where do Iowa biology graduates typically find employment opportunities?

Iowa's agriculture-heavy economy creates demand for biology graduates in crop science, veterinary support, and agricultural research roles. Major employers like Principal Financial hire biology graduates for health analytics and actuarial positions, while the state's growing biotechnology sector offers opportunities in research and development. The median debt of $22,000-$27,000 across most programs allows graduates flexibility to pursue lower-paying research positions or graduate school.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.