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Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2022
Questions & Answers
What do all these numbers mean?
All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2019-20 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2022.
What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.
How can I use this information?
This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $18,948 and the average private school would be $24,474. You can also get information on specific Iowa schools in the chart above or the tables below.
Will my family pay the amount on this chart?
Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.
Where did this information come from?
As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.
What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?
Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.
The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?
For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:
- College savings and investments
- Payments from current income
- Loans
- Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
- Tax planning
- Student work
Net Price:
Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.
Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.
| Total Cost at University of Iowa (2019-20) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $9,606 |
| Room and Board | $11,400 |
| Books | $950 |
| Other Expenses | $2,850 |
| Total | $24,806 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2019-20 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2022. Total costs include:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
| College Total Cost | ||
|---|---|---|
| Family Income | IA Public $22,680 | IA Private $51,639 |
| $0 - $30k | $11,278 | $18,623 |
| $30,001 – $48k | $13,370 | $19,143 |
| $48,001 – $75k | $15,985 | $21,355 |
| $75,001 – $110k | $18,948 | $24,474 |
| $110,001+ | $20,365 | $27,682 |
Public vs. Private Averages
This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Iowa public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $6,000-$8,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.
Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Iowa. Click a school to view its complete chart.
Public IA Schools Cost Breakdown
-
Iowa State University
Ames Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $9,320 $9,316 Room and Board $9,149 $9,193 Books $1,041 $1,001 Other Expenses $2,430 $2,430 Total $21,940 $21,940 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,766 $9,766 $30,001 - $48k $11,427 $11,427 $48,001 - $75k $14,641 $14,641 $75,001 - $110k $17,806 $17,806 $110,001+ $19,491 $19,491
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $9,606 $9,606 Room and Board $11,400 $11,590 Books $950 $950 Other Expenses $2,850 $3,230 Total $24,806 $25,376 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,554 $13,865 $30,001 - $48k $15,508 $15,864 $48,001 - $75k $18,026 $18,440 $75,001 - $110k $20,719 $21,195 $110,001+ $22,516 $23,033 -
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $8,938 $8,938 Room and Board $9,160 $9,160 Books $900 $800 Other Expenses $2,296 $2,396 Total $21,294 $21,294 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,513 $10,513 $30,001 - $48k $13,175 $13,175 $48,001 - $75k $15,287 $15,287 $75,001 - $110k $18,318 $18,318 $110,001+ $19,089 $19,089
Private IA Schools Cost Breakdown
-
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $32,202 $33,308 Room and Board $9,384 $9,522 Books $1,320 $1,320 Other Expenses $3,744 $3,740 Total $46,650 $47,890 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,748 $20,273 $30,001 - $48k $18,049 $18,529 $48,001 - $75k $22,933 $23,543 $75,001 - $110k $24,633 $25,288 $110,001+ $27,381 $28,109 -
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $35,194 $36,426 Room and Board $9,872 $9,537 Books $999 $1,190 Other Expenses $2,310 $2,420 Total $48,375 $49,573 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,483 $13,817 $30,001 - $48k $14,348 $14,703 $48,001 - $75k $15,581 $15,967 $75,001 - $110k $18,909 $19,377 $110,001+ $25,217 $25,841 -
Central College
Pella Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $38,600 $18,600 Room and Board $10,280 $10,280 Books $1,323 $1,323 Other Expenses $3,199 $3,116 Total $53,402 $33,319 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,503 $9,673 $30,001 - $48k $18,512 $11,550 $48,001 - $75k $19,566 $12,208 $75,001 - $110k $21,995 $13,723 $110,001+ $23,782 $14,838 -
Clarke University
Dubuque Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $34,670 $35,750 Room and Board $10,000 $10,200 Books $1,330 $1,330 Other Expenses $3,360 $3,360 Total $49,360 $50,640 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,117 $21,665 $30,001 - $48k $24,023 $24,646 $48,001 - $75k $22,412 $22,993 $75,001 - $110k $27,232 $27,938 $110,001+ $27,557 $28,272 -
Coe College
Cedar Rapids Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $45,580 $47,220 Room and Board $9,820 $10,174 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,670 $2,670 Total $59,070 $61,064 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,371 $14,856 $30,001 - $48k $15,019 $15,526 $48,001 - $75k $17,133 $17,711 $75,001 - $110k $22,176 $22,925 $110,001+ $26,944 $27,854 -
Cornell College
Mount Vernon Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $43,976 $45,914 Room and Board $9,760 $10,150 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $5,401 $3,253 Total $60,337 $60,517 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,806 $16,856 $30,001 - $48k $17,628 $17,681 $48,001 - $75k $21,797 $21,862 $75,001 - $110k $24,390 $24,463 $110,001+ $27,002 $27,083 -
Dordt College
Sioux Center Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $31,770 $32,820 Room and Board $10,020 $10,470 Books $1,110 $1,130 Other Expenses $3,500 $3,500 Total $46,400 $47,920 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,035 $20,691 $30,001 - $48k $20,101 $20,759 $48,001 - $75k $23,412 $24,179 $75,001 - $110k $26,186 $27,044 $110,001+ $28,244 $29,169 -
Drake University
Des Moines Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $42,840 $44,376 Room and Board $10,848 $11,152 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $3,700 $3,700 Total $58,488 $60,328 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,309 $26,105 $30,001 - $48k $25,332 $26,129 $48,001 - $75k $26,088 $26,909 $75,001 - $110k $30,425 $31,382 $110,001+ $33,118 $34,160 -
University of Dubuque
Dubuque Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $35,570 $36,610 Room and Board $10,210 $10,500 Books $950 $950 Other Expenses $900 $900 Total $47,630 $48,960 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,342 $20,910 $30,001 - $48k $22,393 $23,018 $48,001 - $75k $26,807 $27,556 $75,001 - $110k $32,124 $33,021 $110,001+ $35,136 $36,117 -
Graceland University-Lamoni
Lamoni Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $30,420 $31,320 Room and Board $9,100 $9,400 Books $1,400 $1,320 Other Expenses $2,904 $3,120 Total $43,824 $45,160 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,354 $16,853 $30,001 - $48k $16,406 $16,906 $48,001 - $75k $18,806 $19,379 $75,001 - $110k $19,850 $20,455 $110,001+ $19,849 $20,454 -
Grand View University
Des Moines Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $30,508 $29,792 Room and Board $9,704 $9,920 Books $836 $836 Other Expenses $2,898 $2,900 Total $43,946 $43,448 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,733 $17,532 $30,001 - $48k $18,534 $18,324 $48,001 - $75k $20,148 $19,920 $75,001 - $110k $20,953 $20,716 $110,001+ $23,446 $23,180
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Grinnell College
Grinnell Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $54,354 $56,680 Room and Board $13,292 $13,864 Books $900 $900 Other Expenses $2,200 $2,200 Total $70,746 $73,644 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,835 $13,361 $30,001 - $48k $13,671 $14,231 $48,001 - $75k $16,112 $16,772 $75,001 - $110k $23,454 $24,415 $110,001+ $38,039 $39,597 -
Iowa Wesleyan University
Mount Pleasant Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $25,424 $25,280 Room and Board $10,865 $11,010 Books $1,315 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,116 $3,500 Total $40,720 $40,790 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $30,695 $30,748 $30,001 - $48k $31,453 $31,507 $48,001 - $75k $33,417 $33,474 $75,001 - $110k $33,367 $33,424 $110,001+ $33,915 $33,973 -
Loras College
Dubuque Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $35,218 $35,218 Room and Board $8,425 $8,600 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,011 $2,011 Total $46,754 $46,929 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,261 $17,326 $30,001 - $48k $19,374 $19,447 $48,001 - $75k $19,010 $19,081 $75,001 - $110k $21,112 $21,191 $110,001+ $26,065 $26,163 -
Luther College
Decorah Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $44,070 $45,610 Room and Board $9,760 $10,110 Books $1,040 $1,040 Other Expenses $3,015 $3,015 Total $57,885 $59,775 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,838 $22,551 $30,001 - $48k $20,153 $20,811 $48,001 - $75k $23,262 $24,022 $75,001 - $110k $26,789 $27,664 $110,001+ $28,747 $29,686 -
Morningside College
Sioux City Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $32,720 $33,970 Room and Board $9,840 $10,110 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $2,800 $2,800 Total $46,660 $48,180 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,699 $21,373 $30,001 - $48k $20,160 $20,817 $48,001 - $75k $21,210 $21,901 $75,001 - $110k $22,616 $23,353 $110,001+ $24,824 $25,633 -
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $33,862 $35,506 Room and Board $9,915 $10,112 Books $1,320 $1,320 Other Expenses $3,780 $3,980 Total $48,877 $50,918 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,250 $20,054 $30,001 - $48k $17,384 $18,110 $48,001 - $75k $21,263 $22,151 $75,001 - $110k $25,560 $26,627 $110,001+ $27,015 $28,143 -
Northwestern College
Orange City Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $32,300 $32,920 Room and Board $9,600 $9,800 Books $1,250 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,750 $2,980 Total $45,900 $46,900 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,404 $18,805 $30,001 - $48k $22,469 $22,959 $48,001 - $75k $22,626 $23,119 $75,001 - $110k $21,708 $22,181 $110,001+ $24,613 $25,149 -
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $31,812 $32,758 Room and Board $11,024 $11,354 Books $1,320 $1,320 Other Expenses $3,282 $3,282 Total $47,438 $48,714 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,729 $21,287 $30,001 - $48k $23,031 $23,650 $48,001 - $75k $25,717 $26,409 $75,001 - $110k $26,406 $27,116 $110,001+ $28,322 $29,084 -
Simpson College
Indianola Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $40,666 $42,246 Room and Board $8,820 $9,282 Books $1,238 $1,170 Other Expenses $3,284 $3,264 Total $54,008 $55,962 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,264 $15,816 $30,001 - $48k $15,511 $16,072 $48,001 - $75k $16,829 $17,438 $75,001 - $110k $24,022 $24,891 $110,001+ $27,485 $28,479 -
Upper Iowa University
Fayette Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $31,685 $32,945 Room and Board $8,706 $9,105 Books $1,560 $1,590 Other Expenses $3,286 $3,352 Total $45,237 $46,992 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,363 $26,347 $30,001 - $48k $20,104 $20,884 $48,001 - $75k $22,508 $23,381 $75,001 - $110k $24,642 $25,598 $110,001+ $24,627 $25,582 -
Wartburg College
Waverly Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $43,930 $45,680 Room and Board $9,280 $9,592 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $1,300 $1,300 Total $55,610 $57,672 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,368 $16,975 $30,001 - $48k $17,063 $17,696 $48,001 - $75k $22,677 $23,518 $75,001 - $110k $24,153 $25,049 $110,001+ $26,082 $27,049 -
William Penn University
Oskaloosa Year 2019-20 2020-21 Tuition and Fees $26,100 $26,600 Room and Board $7,072 $7,176 Books $1,278 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,556 $4,624 Total $39,006 $39,700 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,257 $19,600 $30,001 - $48k $19,110 $19,450 $48,001 - $75k $20,551 $20,917 $75,001 - $110k $23,566 $23,985 $110,001+ $23,257 $23,671
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