There are fifty-two colleges and universities in the U.S. state of Iowa that are listed under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The Iowa Board of Regents, a governing board, oversees the state's three public universities – the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.[1]

With 4,345 students, Drake University is the state's largest private not-for-profit school. The state's oldest post-secondary institution is Loras College, a private Catholic school in Dubuque that was founded in 1839,[2][3] seven years before Iowa became a state.[4]

The state's only two law schools, the University of Iowa College of Law and Drake University Law School, are both accredited by the American Bar Association.[5] Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and Des Moines University are the state's two medical schools. The majority of Iowa's post-secondary institutions are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).[6] Most are accredited by multiple agencies, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National League for Nursing (NLNAC).

Extant institutions

Institution Location(s)[note 1] Control[note 2] Type[note 3] Enrollment[7]
(fall 2024) 		Founded Accreditation[7]
University of Iowa Iowa City Public Research university 30,779 1847 HLC, ACPE, ABA, ADA, APTA, APA, ASHA, CPE, CAHME, CCNE, CELPA, AANA, CEPH, JRCERT, LCME, NASD, NASM, NAST
Iowa State University Ames Public Research university 30,380 1858[8] HLC, AAMFT, ADA, APA, AVMA, NASM
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public Master's university 9,278 1876[9] HLC, ASHA, NASM
Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public Associate's college 23,697 1966[10] HLC, ABFSE, ADA, NLNAC
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges Davenport Public Associate's college 7,426 1965[11] HLC
Ellsworth Community College Iowa Falls Public Associate's college 685 1890[12] HLC
Hawkeye Community College Waterloo Public Associate's college 5,120 1966[13] HLC, ADA, APTA
Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa Public Associate's college 3,184 1969[14] HLC, AOTA, APTA, JRCERT
Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge Public Associate's college 4,949 1966[15] HLC, ADA, JRCERT, NLNAC
Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville Public Associate's college 1,945 1967[16] HLC
Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs Public Associate's college 5,540 1966[17] HLC, NLNAC, ADA
Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Public Associate's college 12,763 1966[18] HLC, ADA, AOTA, APTA
Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown Public Associate's college 1,857 1927[19] HLC, ADA
North Iowa Area Community College Mason City Public Associate's college 2,662 1918[20] HLC, APTA, NLNAC
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar Public Associate's college 4,808 1967[21] HLC
Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon Public Associate's college 1,907 1966[22] HLC
Southeastern Community College West Burlington Public Associate's college 3,028 1967[23] HLC
Southwestern Community College Creston Public Associate's college 1,566 1966[24] HLC
Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City Public Associate's college 5,482 1966[25] HLC, ADA, APTA, NLNAC
Allen College Waterloo Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 483 1925[26] HLC, CCNE, JRCERT, NLNAC
Briar Cliff University Sioux City Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 947 1930[27] HLC, CCNE, NLNAC
Buena Vista University Storm Lake Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,890 1891[28] HLC
Central College Pella Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,084 1853[29] HLC, NASM
Clarke University Dubuque Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 962 1843[30] HLC, APTA, CCNE, NASM
Coe College Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,195 1851[31] HLC, CCNE, NASM
Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,094 1853[32] HLC
Des Moines University Des Moines Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 1,534 1898[33] HLC, AOA, APTA, APMA, CEPH
Divine Word College Epworth Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 64 1931[34] HLC
Dordt University Sioux Center Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,952 1955[35] HLC, CCNE
Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit Master's university 4,345 1881[36] HLC, ACPE, ABA, NASAD, NASM
Emmaus University Dubuque Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 234 1941[37] ABHE, HLC
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary Ankeny Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 611 1921[38] ABHE, HLC
Graceland University Lamoni Private not-for-profit Master's university 1,102 1895[39] HLC, TCATE
Grand View University Des Moines Private not-for-profit Master's university 1,856 1896[40] HLC, CCNE
Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,788 1846[41] HLC
Loras College Dubuque Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,189 1839[42] HLC
Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,384 1861[43] HLC, CCNE, NASM, TCATE
Maharishi International University Fairfield Private not-for-profit Master's university 2,592 1971[44] HLC
Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 869 1995[45] HLC, APTA, CCNE, JRCERT, JRCNMT, NLNAC
Morningside University Sioux City Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 2,056 1894[46] HLC, CCNE, NASM, TCATE
Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,417 1928[47] HLC, CCNE
Northwestern College Orange City Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,705 1882[48] HLC, CCNE, TCATE
Palmer College of Chiropractic Davenport Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 2,161 1897[49] HLC, CCE
Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,251 1860[50] HLC, NASM
St. Ambrose University Davenport Private not-for-profit Master's university 2,498 1882[51] HLC, AOTA, APTA, CCNE, TCATE
St. Luke's College Sioux City Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 176 1966[52] HLC, JRCERT, NLNAC
University of Dubuque Dubuque Private not-for-profit Master's university 1,757 1852[53] HLC, ATSCA, CCNE
Upper Iowa University Fayette Private not-for-profit Master's university 3,941 1857[54] HLC, CCNE
Wartburg College Waverly Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,483 1852[55] HLC, NASM, NAST
Wartburg Theological Seminary Dubuque Private not-for-profit Special-focus institution 161 1854[56] ATSCA, HLC
William Penn University Oskaloosa Private not-for-profit Baccalaureate college 1,425 1873[57] HLC
Waldorf University Forest City Private for-profit[58] Baccalaureate college 2,225 1903[59] HLC

Defunct institutions

Institution Location(s) Control Founded Closed Ref(s)
AIB College of Business Des Moines Private 1921 2016
Algona College Algona Private 1868 1875 [60]
Ashford University Clinton Private for-profit 1918 2016
[note 4] 		[61]
Charles City College Charles City Private 1891 1914
(merged into Morningside College) 		[60]
Des Moines University Des Moines Private 1865 1929 [62]
Grundy College Grundy Center, Iowa Private 1916 1934 [63]
Highland Park College Des Moines Private 1890 1918
(merged with Des Moines College) 		[60]
Iowa Wesleyan University Mount Pleasant Private not-for-profit 1842[64] 2023
Kaplan University various Private for-profit 1937[65] 2018
Leander Clark College Toledo Private 1857 1918
(merged into Coe College) 		[60]
Lenox College Hopkinton Private 1859 1944 [60]
Marycrest International University Davenport Private 1939 2002 [60]
Midwestern College Denison Private 1965 1970 [60]
Ottumwa Heights College Ottumwa Private 1864 1980 [66]
Parsons College Fairfield Private 1875 1973 [60]
Sioux Empire College Hawarden Public 1965 1985 [67][68]
Tabor College Tabor Private 1853 1927 [60]
Vatterott College Des Moines Private for-profit 1969[69] 2018
Vennard College University Park Private 1910 2008 [60][70]
Westmar University Le Mars Private 1890 1997 [60][71]
Wilton German English College Wilton Private 1894 1904

Key

Abbreviation Accrediting agency
AAMFT American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
AANA American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
ABA American Bar Association
ABFSE American Board of Funeral Service Education
ABHE Association for Biblical Higher Education
ABHES Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCSC Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
ACICS Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
ACPE Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
ACPE Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
ADA American Dental Association
ADA American Dietetic Association
AOA American Osteopathic Association
AOTA American Occupational Therapy Association
APA American Psychological Association
APMA American Podiatric Medical Association
APTA American Physical Therapy Association
ASHA American Speech–Language–Hearing Association
ATSCA Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
AVMA American Veterinary Medical Association
CAHME Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
CCE Council on Chiropractic Education
CCNE Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
CELPA Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
CEPH Council on Education for Public Health
JRCERT Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Radiologic Technology
JRCNMT Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
LCME Liaison Committee on Medical Education
NASAD National Association of Schools of Art and Design
NASD National Association of Schools of Dance
NASM National Association of Schools of Music
NAST National Association of Schools of Theatre
HLC Higher Learning Commission
NCATE National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
NLNAC National League for Nursing

See also

Notes

  1. School location is based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
  2. School control is based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
  3. School types are based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
  4. Ashford University closed its physical campus in 2016 and operates online only, based out of San Diego, California.

References

  1. "Frequently Asked Questions about the Board of Regents, State of Iowa". State of Iowa.
  2. "Welcome to Loras College!". Loras College. Archived from the original on September 1, 2012.
  3. "College grad takes post at alma mater". Chicago Tribune. September 26, 2004.
  4. "The Path to Statehood". Iowa Public Television.
  5. "ABA-Approved Law Schools by Year". American Bar Association.
  6. "The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association". North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
  7. "College Navigator". United States Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences.
  8. "History of Iowa State". Iowa State University. Archived from the original on September 23, 2012.
  9. "A Brief History of UNI". University of Northern Iowa.
  10. "College History". Des Moines Area Community College.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. "History". Eastern Iowa Community College District.
  12. "IVCCD History". Ellsworth Community College. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  13. "History of Hawkeye". Hawkeye Community College.
  14. "Mission and History". Indian Hills Community College.
  15. "About Iowa Central". Iowa Central Community College. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012.
  16. "General Information". Iowa Lakes Community College. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012.
  17. "About Iowa Western". Iowa Western Community College. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012.
  18. "College History". Kirkwood Community College.
  19. "IVCCD History". Marshalltown Community College.
  20. "History". North Iowa Area Community College. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012.
  21. "History of Northeast Iowa Community College". Northeast Iowa Community College. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012.
  22. "NCC Through the Years". Northwest Iowa Community College.
  23. "College History". Southeastern Community College. Archived from the original on April 14, 2011.
  24. "College History". Southwestern Community College.
  25. "About WITCC". Western Iowa Tech Community College.
  26. "About Allen College". Allen College. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  27. "Welcome to Briar Cliff University!". Briar Cliff University. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012.
  28. "History". Buena Vista University.
  29. "About Central College". Central College.
  30. "Mission & History". Clarke University.
  31. "History of Coe College". Coe College. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012.
  32. "Our History & Traditions". Cornell College.
  33. "History". Des Moines University–Osteopathic Medical Center. December 16, 2010.
  34. "About Divine Word". Divine Word College.
  35. "About Dordt College". Dordt College.
  36. "History and Traditions". Drake University. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012.
  37. "Our Heritage". Emmaus Bible College (Iowa). Archived from the original on October 2, 2012.
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  43. "About Luther". Luther College.
  44. "Founding and History of the University". Maharishi University of Management. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012.
  45. "History". Mercy College of Health Sciences.
  46. "About Morningside". Morningside College. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012.
  47. "Mount Mercy Through the Years". Mount Mercy University.
  48. "About NWC". Northwestern College.
  49. "Who We Are: FAQS". Palmer College of Chiropractic.
  50. "About Simpson". Simpson College.
  51. "History". Saint Ambrose University.
  52. "Our History". St. Luke's College.
  53. "Bibliography On Christianity and Higher Education" (PDF) (PDF). University of Dubuque.
  54. "The University's History". Upper Iowa University. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012.
  55. "Mission and History". Wartburg College. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012.
  56. "About Us". Wartburg Theological Seminary.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  57. "The History of William Penn University". William Penn University. Archived from the original on June 9, 2015.
  58. Jaschik, Scott (May 6, 2009). "The Sale of Waldorf". Inside Higher Ed.
  59. "History". Waldorf College.
  60. "Iowa Colleges that have Closed, Merged, Changed Names". Westminster College. Archived from the original on April 23, 2012.
  61. "Clinton faces uncertainty with last graduation at Ashford University". May 6, 2016.
  62. "Des Moines College". Drake University.
  63. "Christian Reformed - 1857 - 1957". migenweb.org.
  64. "History". Iowa Wesleyan College. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012.
  65. "Kaplan University History and Facts". Kaplan University. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012.
  66. "Ottumwa Heights College". Higher Learning Commission.
  67. Triggs, Michael L., ed. (1985). 1985–86 Official Register, Volume Sixty-One. Iowa Secretary of State. p. 290.
  68. "Three officials of failed college indicted for fraud". Associated Press. July 10, 1986.
  69. "About Us". Vatterott College.
  70. Masterson, Kathryn (November 13, 2008). "Vennard College, in Iowa, Announces It Will Close". The Chronicle of Higher Education.
  71. "Westmar University marks 105 years". The Daily Reporter. October 31, 1995.