2024 Average Tuition of colleges in Iowa is $10,396 for Residents and $27,294 for Others

For the academic year 2023-2024, the average tuition of public colleges in Iowa is $10,396 for Iowa residents and $27,294 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Iowa, the average tuition & fees are $33,148 regardless of residency. For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Iowa is $12,341 for Iowa residents and $29,006 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Iowa, the average graduate tuition is $12,642.

The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $13,479 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $14,120. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.

The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.

Average Cost of Attendance (COA)

In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.

The 2024 average COA of the four-year colleges in Iowa is $25,175 for residents and $42,073 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $48,147. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $19,938 for Iowa residents and $21,153 for out-of-state students.

The following table summarizes the 2024 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.

2024 Average Cost of Colleges in Iowa
	Iowa Residents	Out-of-State
Public 4 Years Colleges	$25,175	$42,073
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)	$19,938	$21,153
Private 4 Years Colleges	$48,147

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

In Iowa, 74 out of 76 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 19 public and 38 private colleges in Iowa. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Iowa is $10,396 for Iowa residents and $27,294 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $33,148

At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $6,001 for residents and $7,216 for out-of-state students.

2024 Average Tuition & fees of colleges in Iowa
	Iowa Residents	Out-of-State
Public 4 Years Colleges	$10,396	$27,294
Private 4 Years Colleges	$33,148
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)	$6,001	$7,216
Less than 2 Years Schools (Trade/Technical Colleges)	$18,445

Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees

In Iowa, 30 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Iowa is $10,761 for Iowa residents and $27,426 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $12,203

2024 Average Graduate Tuition & fees of colleges in Iowa
	Iowa Residents	Out-of-State
Public Schools	$10,761	$27,426
Private Schools	$12,203

Tuition per Credit Hour

The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in Iowa is $370 for Iowa residents and $1,075 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,153

For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $601 for Iowa residents and $1,525 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $675

2024 Average Tuition per Credit Hour of colleges in Iowa
	Iowa Residents	Out-of-State
Undergraduate
Public 4 Years Colleges	$370	$1,075
Private 4 Years Colleges	$1,153
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)	$199	$243
Graduate
Public Schools	$601	$1,525
Private Schools	$675

Average Living Costs at colleges in Iowa

At colleges in Iowa, the average living cost is $13,479 when a student lives on campus facility and $14,120 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.

2024 Average Living Cost of colleges in Iowa
	On-Campus	Off-Campus
Public Schools	$12,787	$14,056
Private Schools	$13,889	$14,160

Most Searched Iowa Colleges (last 30 days)

Undergraduate

University of Iowa Public, four-years | Iowa City
Iowa State University Public, four-years | Ames
Cornell College Private, four-years | Mount Vernon
University of Northern Iowa Public, four-years | Cedar Falls
Grinnell College Private, four-years | Grinnell
Drake University Private, four-years | Des Moines
Palmer College of Chiropractic Private, four-years | Davenport
Saint Ambrose University Private, four-years | Davenport
Maharishi International University Private, four-years | Fairfield
Des Moines Area Community College Public, 2-4 years | Ankeny

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Graduate

Drake University Private, four-years | Des Moines
Upper Iowa University Private, four-years | Fayette
University of Dubuque Private, four-years | Dubuque
University of Northern Iowa Public, four-years | Cedar Falls
Clarke University Private, four-years | Dubuque
Briar Cliff University Private, four-years | Sioux City
Maharishi International University Private, four-years | Fairfield
Iowa State University Public, four-years | Ames
Waldorf University Private, four-years | Forest City
Iowa Wesleyan University Private, four-years | Mount Pleasant

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Online Schools

Waldorf University Private, four-years | Forest City
Upper Iowa University Private, four-years | Fayette
Clarke University Private, four-years | Dubuque
Drake University Private, four-years | Des Moines
Kirkwood Community College Public, 2-4 years | Cedar Rapids
Graceland University-Lamoni Private, four-years | Lamoni
Maharishi International University Private, four-years | Fairfield
University of Northern Iowa Public, four-years | Cedar Falls
William Penn University Private, four-years | Oskaloosa
Buena Vista University Private, four-years | Storm Lake

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Technical Colleges

Iowa Central Community College Public, 2-4 years | Fort Dodge
PCI Academy-Ames Private, 2-4 years | Ames
Waldorf University Private, four-years | Forest City
Capri College-Cedar Rapids Private, 2-4 years | Cedar Rapids
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines Private, 2-4 years | Des Moines
Drake University Private, four-years | Des Moines
La James International College-Johnston Private, 2-4 years | Johnston
Capri College-Davenport Private, 2-4 years | Davenport
Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake Private, 2-4 years | Spirit Lake
Aveda Institute-Des Moines Private, 2-4 years | West Des Moines

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2024 Average Tuition of colleges in Iowa is $10,396 for Residents and $27,294 for Others

Average Cost of Attendance (COA)

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees

Tuition per Credit Hour

Average Living Costs at colleges in Iowa

Highest Undergraduate Tuition in Iowa

Highest Graduate Tuition in Iowa