2027 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa

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College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 10,000 applications per year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students.
Offer 5 or more unique majors
Have a 20% acceptance rate or higher.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Drake University	64.94	1,110 – 1,350	29565	58233	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Drake University Des Moines, IA Located in Des Moines, Drake University accepted 65% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. About 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 64.9% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $29,565 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,233
2	Dordt University	68.47	1,080 – 1,340	28486	50551	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Dordt University Sioux Center, IA Found in Sioux Center, Dordt University accepted 68% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students at Dordt University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 68.5% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $28,486 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,551
3	Luther College	83.98	1,100 – 1,370	24511	49541	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Luther College Decorah, IA Luther College started as a Lutheran seminary opened by Norwegian immigrants. The upper campus is on the National Register of Historic Places, while the Upper Iowa River flows through the lower campus. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is a popular area of study, and the school has a first year retention rate of 77%. Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,511 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,541
4	Simpson College	86.22	1,400 – 1,460	23282	49946	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Simpson College Indianola, IA Simpson College is non selective. 100% receive grant aid, $37,896 on average. Attending students enjoy an 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and many go on to major in Health and Wellness, General....Read more Acceptance Rate 86.2% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $23,282 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,946
5	Cornell College	79.9	1,140 – 1,350	25220	39299	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA Students at Cornell College follow a “block plan,” where they attend one course at a time over a few weeks. In a year, students can expect to finish eight blocks, or courses. Classes tend to be smaller, with a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. King Chapel on campus is home to an over 3,000-piped organ. Acceptance Rate 79.9% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $25,220 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,299
6	Saint Ambrose University	80.06	950 – 1,180	25345	51616	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Saint Ambrose University Davenport, IA St. Ambrose University got its start as a school of commerce for men. Today, the most popular majors are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Social Work. It’s a private Catholic institution with an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school motto is “Faith Learning Justice.” Acceptance Rate 80.1% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $25,345 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,616
7	Northwestern College	80.35	1,040 – 1,280	26347	46731	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Northwestern College Orange City, IA Many students - 618 to be exact - participate in sports at Northwestern College. They’re known as the Red Raiders and compete in the NAIA Division II Great Plains Athletic Conference. In the classroom, NWC has 39 majors and programs to choose from. Acceptance Rate 80.4% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $26,347 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,731
8	Coe College	63.36	1,110 – 1,320	20864	47136	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA Located in Cedar Rapids, Coe College accepts 63% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 76%....Read more Acceptance Rate 63.4% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $20,864 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,136
9	Emmaus Bible College	59.79	1,090 – 1,360	15028	34653	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Emmaus Bible College Dubuque, IA A very small school, Emmaus University received 190 during the last admissions cycle. 60% were accepted, and about 63% – or 70 – enrolled. On average, 100% of students receive $16,106 in grant aid. Affiliated with the Plymouth Brethren, it became a university in 2024. Acceptance Rate 59.8% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $15,028 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,653
10	Central College	86.98	1,050 – 1,270	23848	49115	#10 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Central College Pella, IA Located in Pella, Central College accepts 87% of applicants. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Central College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Acceptance Rate 87.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $23,848 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,115
11	Wartburg College	75.84	1,070 – 1,280	24031	48795	#11 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Wartburg College Waverly, IA Business/Commerce, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science are popular majors at Wartburg College, whose motto is “Experience more.” The school was founded in 1852, and it moved several times between Illinois and Iowa....Read more Acceptance Rate 75.8% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $24,031 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,795
12	Loras College	69.66	1,020 – 1,200	21631	46069	#12 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Loras College Dubuque, IA Loras College offers up to a Master's degree, with 34 programs to choose from. Kinesiology and Exercise Science is a top choice. The private school also has an 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 74% first year retention rate. Founded in 1839, Loras College is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state. Acceptance Rate 69.7% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $21,631 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,069
13	Buena Vista University	64.97	970 – 1,180	19704	43572	#13 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA Buena Vista University has a 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 76% first year retention rate, and 50% 4-year graduation rate. Every year BVU students volunteer at Buenafication Day, the school's annual day of community service. Popular majors among students include Elementary Education and Teaching, and Accounting. Acceptance Rate 65.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,704 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,572
14	Mount Mercy University	82.48	1,010 – 1,210	24347	52871	#14 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Iowa Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids, IA Located in Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University’s acceptance rate is 82% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Mount Mercy University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Mount Mercy University, there is a 73% first year retention......Read more Acceptance Rate 82.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $24,347 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,871