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Net Price of Iowa Colleges by Income

Cost of Iowa Colleges Zoom In

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023

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 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.

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 $17,878 and the average private school would be $25,175. 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:

  1. Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
  2. 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
Cost of Iowa Schools Explanation

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 (2020-21)
Tuition and Fees $9,606
Room and Board $11,590
Books $950
Other Expenses $3,230
Total $25,376

Total Cost:

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. 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 $22,870 IA Private $51,967
$0 - $30k $10,880 $19,295
$30,001 – $48k $11,879 $20,250
$48,001 – $75k $15,090 $21,851
$75,001 – $110k $17,878 $25,175
$110,001+ $19,141 $28,283

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 $7,000-$10,000 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 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,316 $9,634
    Room and Board $9,193 $9,088
    Books $1,001 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,430 $2,430
    Total $21,940 $22,152
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,148 $8,227
    $30,001 - $48k $9,986 $10,082
    $48,001 - $75k $12,717 $12,840
    $75,001 - $110k $16,964 $17,128
    $110,001+ $19,610 $19,799
  • University of Iowa

    Iowa City
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,606 $9,942
    Room and Board $11,590 $11,780
    Books $950 $950
    Other Expenses $3,230 $3,686
    Total $25,376 $26,358
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,772 $14,305
    $30,001 - $48k $14,089 $14,634
    $48,001 - $75k $18,317 $19,026
    $75,001 - $110k $20,690 $21,491
    $110,001+ $22,754 $23,635
  • University of Northern Iowa

    Cedar Falls
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,938 $9,053
    Room and Board $9,160 $9,160
    Books $800 $800
    Other Expenses $2,396 $2,396
    Total $21,294 $21,409
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,720 $10,778
    $30,001 - $48k $11,562 $11,624
    $48,001 - $75k $14,236 $14,313
    $75,001 - $110k $15,979 $16,065
    $110,001+ $15,060 $15,141

Private IA Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Briar Cliff University

    Sioux City
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $33,308 $33,998
    Room and Board $9,522 $9,582
    Books $1,320 $1,340
    Other Expenses $3,740 $3,944
    Total $47,890 $48,864
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,969 $20,375
    $30,001 - $48k $18,434 $18,809
    $48,001 - $75k $22,568 $23,027
    $75,001 - $110k $21,961 $22,408
    $110,001+ $24,154 $24,645
  • Buena Vista University

    Storm Lake
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $36,426 $37,518
    Room and Board $9,537 $10,370
    Books $1,190 $1,146
    Other Expenses $2,420 $2,762
    Total $49,573 $51,796
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,607 $15,262
    $30,001 - $48k $15,178 $15,859
    $48,001 - $75k $15,732 $16,437
    $75,001 - $110k $18,423 $19,249
    $110,001+ $23,968 $25,043
  • Central College

    Pella
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $18,600 $19,250
    Room and Board $10,280 $10,552
    Books $1,323 $1,341
    Other Expenses $3,116 $3,159
    Total $33,319 $34,302
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,806 $16,272
    $30,001 - $48k $16,247 $16,726
    $48,001 - $75k $19,305 $19,875
    $75,001 - $110k $22,886 $23,561
    $110,001+ $25,457 $26,208
  • Clarke University

    Dubuque
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $35,750 $36,870
    Room and Board $10,200 $10,400
    Books $1,330 $1,514
    Other Expenses $3,360 $3,457
    Total $50,640 $52,241
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $21,597 $22,280
    $30,001 - $48k $22,574 $23,288
    $48,001 - $75k $27,224 $28,085
    $75,001 - $110k $29,563 $30,498
    $110,001+ $29,994 $30,942
  • Coe College

    Cedar Rapids
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $47,220 $48,822
    Room and Board $10,174 $10,520
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,670 $2,670
    Total $61,064 $63,012
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,451 $12,848
    $30,001 - $48k $14,379 $14,838
    $48,001 - $75k $16,554 $17,082
    $75,001 - $110k $19,558 $20,182
    $110,001+ $26,398 $27,240
  • Cornell College

    Mount Vernon
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $45,914 $47,726
    Room and Board $10,150 $10,556
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $3,253 $3,253
    Total $60,517 $62,735
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $17,340 $17,976
    $30,001 - $48k $16,660 $17,271
    $48,001 - $75k $17,834 $18,488
    $75,001 - $110k $23,497 $24,358
    $110,001+ $26,392 $27,359
  • Dordt College

    Sioux Center
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $32,820 $34,170
    Room and Board $10,470 $10,780
    Books $1,130 $1,030
    Other Expenses $3,500 $3,500
    Total $47,920 $49,480
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,354 $19,984
    $30,001 - $48k $22,382 $23,111
    $48,001 - $75k $25,340 $26,165
    $75,001 - $110k $26,520 $27,383
    $110,001+ $29,898 $30,871
  • Drake University

    Des Moines
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $44,376 $45,912
    Room and Board $11,152 $11,288
    Books $1,100 $1,100
    Other Expenses $3,700 $3,825
    Total $60,328 $62,125
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $23,262 $23,955
    $30,001 - $48k $24,012 $24,727
    $48,001 - $75k $24,833 $25,573
    $75,001 - $110k $29,659 $30,542
    $110,001+ $32,403 $33,368
  • University of Dubuque

    Dubuque
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $36,610 $36,010
    Room and Board $10,500 $10,300
    Books $950 $950
    Other Expenses $900 $900
    Total $48,960 $48,160
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,546 $18,243
    $30,001 - $48k $23,996 $23,604
    $48,001 - $75k $29,392 $28,912
    $75,001 - $110k $31,102 $30,594
    $110,001+ $32,072 $31,548
  • Graceland University-Lamoni

    Lamoni
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $31,320 $31,920
    Room and Board $9,400 $9,810
    Books $1,320 $1,440
    Other Expenses $3,120 $3,210
    Total $45,160 $46,380
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,809 $17,263
    $30,001 - $48k $15,663 $16,086
    $48,001 - $75k $18,021 $18,508
    $75,001 - $110k $20,999 $21,566
    $110,001+ $24,126 $24,778
  • Grand View University

    Des Moines
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $29,792 $30,864
    Room and Board $9,920 $10,520
    Books $836 $848
    Other Expenses $2,900 $2,940
    Total $43,448 $45,172
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $35,224 $36,622
    $30,001 - $48k $35,184 $36,580
    $48,001 - $75k $39,428 $40,992
    $75,001 - $110k $40,304 $41,903
    $110,001+ $37,094 $38,566
  • Grinnell College

    Grinnell
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $56,680 $58,648
    Room and Board $13,864 $14,350
    Books $900 $900
    Other Expenses $2,200 $2,200
    Total $73,644 $76,098
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,470 $13,919
    $30,001 - $48k $18,452 $19,067
    $48,001 - $75k $20,113 $20,783
    $75,001 - $110k $28,092 $29,028
    $110,001+ $43,522 $44,972
  • Iowa Wesleyan University

    Mount Pleasant
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $25,280 $33,650
    Room and Board $11,010 $11,340
    Books $1,000 $0
    Other Expenses $3,500 $2,300
    Total $40,790 $47,290
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $32,877 $38,116
    $30,001 - $48k $32,538 $37,723
    $48,001 - $75k $33,903 $39,306
    $75,001 - $110k $34,059 $39,486
    $110,001+ $36,507 $42,324
  • Loras College

    Dubuque
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $35,218 $35,268
    Room and Board $8,600 $8,760
    Books $1,100 $800
    Other Expenses $2,011 $2,059
    Total $46,929 $46,887
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,470 $15,456
    $30,001 - $48k $16,513 $16,498
    $48,001 - $75k $15,930 $15,916
    $75,001 - $110k $18,501 $18,484
    $110,001+ $23,200 $23,179
  • Luther College

    Decorah
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $45,610 $46,760
    Room and Board $10,110 $10,360
    Books $1,040 $1,040
    Other Expenses $3,015 $3,015
    Total $59,775 $61,175
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,770 $19,210
    $30,001 - $48k $18,668 $19,105
    $48,001 - $75k $21,741 $22,250
    $75,001 - $110k $23,935 $24,496
    $110,001+ $30,286 $30,995
  • Morningside College

    Sioux City
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $33,970 $35,270
    Room and Board $10,110 $10,410
    Books $1,300 $1,250
    Other Expenses $2,800 $2,900
    Total $48,180 $49,830
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $22,765 $23,545
    $30,001 - $48k $20,905 $21,621
    $48,001 - $75k $23,522 $24,328
    $75,001 - $110k $24,645 $25,489
    $110,001+ $25,097 $25,956
  • Mount Mercy University

    Cedar Rapids
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $35,506 $36,540
    Room and Board $10,112 $10,428
    Books $1,320 $1,320
    Other Expenses $3,980 $4,104
    Total $50,918 $52,392
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,111 $19,664
    $30,001 - $48k $19,601 $20,168
    $48,001 - $75k $16,368 $16,842
    $75,001 - $110k $24,825 $25,544
    $110,001+ $26,857 $27,634
  • Northwestern College

    Orange City
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $32,920 $33,590
    Room and Board $9,800 $10,000
    Books $1,200 $1,160
    Other Expenses $2,980 $2,900
    Total $46,900 $47,650
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $20,256 $20,580
    $30,001 - $48k $18,488 $18,784
    $48,001 - $75k $22,570 $22,931
    $75,001 - $110k $23,117 $23,487
    $110,001+ $25,438 $25,845
  • Saint Ambrose University

    Davenport
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $32,758 $33,570
    Room and Board $11,354 $11,638
    Books $1,320 $1,320
    Other Expenses $3,282 $3,308
    Total $48,714 $49,836
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $21,762 $22,263
    $30,001 - $48k $22,279 $22,792
    $48,001 - $75k $20,766 $21,244
    $75,001 - $110k $25,894 $26,490
    $110,001+ $27,097 $27,721
  • Simpson College

    Indianola
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $42,246 $44,030
    Room and Board $9,282 $9,654
    Books $1,170 $1,146
    Other Expenses $3,264 $3,334
    Total $55,962 $58,164
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,374 $17,018
    $30,001 - $48k $18,412 $19,136
    $48,001 - $75k $17,607 $18,300
    $75,001 - $110k $22,969 $23,873
    $110,001+ $25,307 $26,303
  • Upper Iowa University

    Fayette
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $32,945 $33,609
    Room and Board $9,105 $9,410
    Books $1,590 $1,620
    Other Expenses $3,352 $3,419
    Total $46,992 $48,058
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $24,301 $24,852
    $30,001 - $48k $25,119 $25,689
    $48,001 - $75k $19,990 $20,443
    $75,001 - $110k $24,253 $24,803
    $110,001+ $25,068 $25,637
  • Wartburg College

    Waverly
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $45,680 $47,500
    Room and Board $9,592 $9,990
    Books $1,100 $1,100
    Other Expenses $1,300 $1,300
    Total $57,672 $59,890
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,460 $16,055
    $30,001 - $48k $17,521 $18,195
    $48,001 - $75k $20,206 $20,983
    $75,001 - $110k $23,790 $24,705
    $110,001+ $25,952 $26,950
  • William Penn University

    Oskaloosa
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $26,600 $27,200
    Room and Board $7,176 $7,256
    Books $1,300 $1,318
    Other Expenses $4,624 $4,826
    Total $39,700 $40,600
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $20,057 $20,512
    $30,001 - $48k $19,207 $19,642
    $48,001 - $75k $20,502 $20,967
    $75,001 - $110k $22,601 $23,113
    $110,001+ $22,556 $23,067
 

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