Best colleges for biology in Iowa

    University of Northern Iowa ranks first in Iowa for biology value (#88 nationally, value score 71): graduates earn $62,391 4 years after the bachelor's degree, and the average net price is $16,038 a year.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition · Source: College Scorecard field of study, reporting year 2025 · 7 Iowa colleges ranked · Updated November 4, 2026

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    Best biology colleges in Iowa

    University of Northern Iowa ranks first in Iowa for biology value (#88 nationally, value score 71): graduates earn $62,391 4 years after the bachelor's degree, and the average net price is $16,038 a year. 7 Iowa colleges qualify. At the median one, biology graduates earn $62,172 and the average net price is $18,647 a year.

    Source: U.S. College Scorecard field of study, 2025

    What the data shows

    Key findings

    • 7 Iowa colleges qualify. At the median one, biology graduates earn $62,172 and the average net price is $18,647 a year.
    • The highest biology earnings in the state are at Wartburg College ($67,036), ranked #3 in the state once cost, debt and graduation rate count.
    • The lowest average net price among them is at Grinnell College: $15,203 a year.
    Median earnings
    $62,172
    National: $58,001
    Median net price
    $18,647
    National: $18,049
    Median federal debt
    $22,500
    biology graduates
    Public colleges
    3 of 7
    in this list

    7 colleges

    The Iowa ranking

    Ordered by the national value score; the national rank is shown with each college. Earnings are medians 4 years after the bachelor's degree.

    1. Rank in Iowa 1

      University of Northern Iowa

      Cedar Falls, IA · Public · #88 nationally

      71.0Value
      Earnings
      $62,391
      Net price
      $16,038
      Federal debt
      $15,000
      Graduation rate
      69%
    2. Rank in Iowa 2

      Grinnell College

      Grinnell, IA · Private nonprofit · #123 nationally

      67.7Value
      Earnings
      $56,275
      Net price
      $15,203
      Federal debt
      $7,559
      Graduation rate
      86%
    3. Rank in Iowa 3

      Wartburg College

      Waverly, IA · Private nonprofit · #269 nationally

      56.4Value
      Earnings
      $67,036
      Net price
      $23,374
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      68%
    4. Rank in Iowa 4

      University of Iowa

      Iowa City, IA · Public · #296 nationally

      54.2Value
      Earnings
      $60,450
      Net price
      $22,508
      Federal debt
      $22,500
      Graduation rate
      76%
    5. Rank in Iowa 5

      Luther College

      Decorah, IA · Private nonprofit · #341 nationally

      50.5Value
      Earnings
      $63,998
      Net price
      $23,945
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      65%
    6. Rank in Iowa 6

      Coe College

      Cedar Rapids, IA · Private nonprofit · #345 nationally

      50.3Value
      Earnings
      $62,172
      Net price
      $18,647
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      60%
    7. Rank in Iowa 7

      Iowa State University

      Ames, IA · Public · #391 nationally

      46.8Value
      Earnings
      $53,447
      Net price
      $15,422
      Federal debt
      $21,500
      Graduation rate
      76%

    Method: the same value score as the national biology ranking (earnings, debt relative to earnings, average net price and graduation rate, each a national percentile). Data: College Scorecard, reporting year 2025; 2026–27 edition, verified Nov 2026.

    Questions about biology colleges in Iowa

    What are the best colleges for biology in Iowa?

    By CollegesRef value score, the top 3 Iowa colleges for biology are University of Northern Iowa (value score 71), Grinnell College (value score 67.7) and Wartburg College (value score 56.4). The score weighs graduate earnings, debt relative to earnings, average net price and graduation rate.

    Which Iowa college has the highest earnings for biology graduates?

    Wartburg College: its biology graduates have median earnings of $67,036 4 years after the bachelor's degree.

    What is the most affordable biology college in Iowa on this list?

    Grinnell College has the lowest average net price of the ranked Iowa colleges, $15,203 a year after grants. A family's own price depends on income and aid.

    How many Iowa colleges are ranked for biology?

    7 Iowa colleges have a biology bachelor's program with enough graduates and reported earnings, plus a published net price and graduation rate. Ranks shown are national; the state rank is their order within Iowa.