Best Online and Campus Psychology Schools in Iowa
The following guide to psychology schools in Iowa contains essential information on the undergraduate and graduate psychology programs offered throughout the state.
Table of Contents
- Iowa Psychology School Facts
- Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
- Top 20 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
- Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
- Related Articles
- Student Reviews
Iowa Psychology School Facts
- There are 42 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in Iowa.1
- 16 schools offer an associate degree in psychology.1
- 27 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 4 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- 4 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best General Psychology Schools 2024.2
- No schools ranked in Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs.3
- 1 school ranked in The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024.4
- 2 schools ranked in Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023.5
- 10 schools ranked in Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology.1
Nationally Ranked Top Psychology Programs in Iowa
Our curated list of third-party and proprietary rankings can be useful in measuring the overall value and reputation of a program. Lists include College Factual, Psychology Degree 411, The Princeton Review, and Times Higher Education. Note if one of these lists is not present below, no schools in the state were named on it. Generally, schools and programs ranked on multiple lists tend to be stronger in academic quality.
Schools Ranked on Multiple Lists
- Buena Vista University
- Emmaus Bible College
- Loras College
- Grand View University
- Iowa State University
- University of Iowa
- University of Northern Iowa
College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024
- Iowa State University (#34)
- University of Iowa (#35)
- University of Northern Iowa (#181)
- Loras College (#187)2
The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024
- Coe College4
Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023
- University of Iowa (#176-200)
- Iowa State University (#201-250)5
Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology
The following Iowa schools with bachelor’s degrees in psychology have the lowest average net prices. We have included each school’s graduation rate, a key quality metric.
- Iowa State University ($15,310 / Grad rate: 74%)
- Emmaus Bible College ($15,521 / Grad rate: 82%)
- University of Northern Iowa ($15,782 / Grad rate: 64%)
- Graceland University-Lamoni ($16,627 / Grad rate: 48%)
- Buena Vista University ($19,204 / Grad rate: 58%)
- University of Iowa ($19,587 / Grad rate: 74%)
- Iowa Wesleyan University ($20,074 / Grad rate: 30%)
- Grand View University ($20,236 / Grad rate: 52%)
- William Penn University ($20,922 / Grad rate: 30%)
- Coe College ($21,237 / Grad rate: 65%)1
Top 20 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in Iowa
This table compares the top 20 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in Iowa based on a graduation rate above 50% and an annual net price below $31,000. A high graduation rate is a top indicator of student success, and affordability is a key consideration for prospective undergrad students. Programs in bold text offer hybrid or online options.
| School | Grad Rate*1 | Accept Rate1 | Median Debt*6 | Median Earnings*6 | Full Price In State1 | Full Price Out of State1 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University | 74% | 90% | $22,869 | $60,973 | $19,491 | $35,975 | $15,310 |
| Emmaus Bible College | 82% | 100% | $15,750 | $39,334 | $28,850 | $28,850 | $15,521 |
| University of Northern Iowa | 64% | 95% | $19,691 | $51,651 | $18,754 | $29,908 | $15,782 |
| Buena Vista University | 58% | 77% | $25,000 | $47,076 | $49,324 | $49,324 | $19,204 |
| University of Iowa | 74% | 86% | $22,500 | $62,670 | $21,829 | $43,792 | $19,587 |
| Grand View University | 52% | 98% | $22,500 | $53,256 | $43,024 | $43,024 | $20,236 |
| Coe College | 65% | N.Av. | $27,000 | $54,115 | $61,584 | $61,584 | $21,237 |
| Loras College | 68% | 90% | $26,000 | $54,020 | $45,800 | $45,800 | $21,886 |
| Simpson College | 67% | 89% | $26,000 | $52,638 | $54,762 | $54,762 | $23,185 |
| Central College | 71% | 79% | $26,984 | $53,417 | $30,660 | $30,660 | $23,303 |
| Saint Ambrose University | 64% | 74% | $25,000 | $57,818 | $46,558 | $46,558 | $23,359 |
| Wartburg College | 67% | 97% | $27,000 | $55,659 | $59,470 | $59,470 | $23,683 |
| Morningside University | 56% | 71% | $26,028 | $54,118 | $47,330 | $47,330 | $23,947 |
| Mount Mercy University | 57% | 75% | $23,699 | $54,291 | $48,242 | $48,242 | $24,078 |
| Northwestern College | 63% | 87% | $23,249 | $49,445 | $44,450 | $44,450 | $25,198 |
| Cornell College | 63% | 79% | $27,000 | $51,898 | $60,030 | $60,030 | $25,686 |
| Luther College | 74% | 75% | $27,000 | $55,451 | $58,830 | $58,830 | $25,734 |
| Clarke University | 58% | 85% | $26,717 | $50,541 | $48,660 | $48,660 | $27,275 |
| Dordt University | 67% | 88% | $21,500 | $52,342 | $45,590 | $45,590 | $27,375 |
| Drake University | 76% | 67% | $23,000 | $73,451 | $59,312 | $59,312 | $30,333 |
*See Table Notes at bottom of page.
Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in Iowa
This table compares all of Iowa’s graduate-level psychology programs from not-for-profit schools on multiple factors.
We’ve included accreditation status by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We also highlight the levels offered, 2020-2022 pass rates for the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), and tuition information. Note EPPP scores are reported by degree type (clinical, counseling, or school psychology) and level (PhD or PsyD), so some schools may be listed more than once to include all pass rates. Schools in bold text offer hybrid or online options. Tuition per credit hour is more relevant for master’s and PsyD programs due to the fact that PhD students typically receive more program-awarded funding.
| School | Accreditation7-10 | Levels Offered | EPPP Pass Rate 2020-2211 | EPPP # Taking 2020-2211 | Grad Tuition Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University | APA | PhD | 100% | 14 | $611 |
| Loras College | — | MA | — | — | $745 |
| University of Iowa (Clinical PhD) | APA, NASP | MA, PhD | 100% | 12 | $376 |
| University of Iowa (Counseling PhD) | APA, NASP | MA, PhD | 83% | 18 | $376 |
| University of Northern Iowa | NASP | MA, EdS | — | — | $539 |
Related Articles
- Degree Levels Overview: Associate to PhD
- Iowa Licensure Guide
- Top Online Bachelor’s Programs Ranking
- Psychology Careers by Degree Level
Iowa Schools With Psychology Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and not everyone has the same results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews, and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
University of Northern Iowa
1227 W 27th St
Cedar Falls, IA 50614
(319) 273-2311
https://uni.edu/
Student Review: “The University of Northern Iowa had a great psychology program with very informed and educational professors. There was a broad spectrum of elective courses which I really enjoyed. I was able to not only hit all of the general classes that you would have with any other university but chose some psychology courses as electives that were a focus I enjoy. I liked the sexual aspects of psychology and was able to choose three classes that were available. Since these were classes I was truly interested in, I was able to excel in those specific classes. The professors recognized this and encouraged me to be a teacher’s assistant which helped me with graduate school applications and work experience. I truly enjoyed my experience at the University of Northern Iowa psychology program and would recommend it to others.” -Student at University of Northern Iowa
*Table Notes:
-N.Av. indicates data is not available.
-Metrics are institution-wide unless otherwise noted.
-Graduation rate is completion percentage within six years of start.
-Median (average) debt is cumulative federal loan debt for undergraduate completers in 2020-2021.
-Median earnings are from the 2020-2021 cohort 10 years post school entry.
-Net price is the average yearly price paid by full-time, first-year undergraduate students receiving financial aid. See NCES for more in-depth information.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual, Best Colleges Offering Degrees in Psychology (Nationwide): https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/rankings/top-ranked/#
3. Psychology Degree 411 Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/online/
4. The Princeton Review. The Best 388 Colleges, 2023 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2022.
5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 – Psychology: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/subject-ranking/psychology
6. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
7. American Psychological Association Accredited Programs: https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs
8. Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs, Directory: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
9. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
10. National Association for School Psychologists, Approved Programs: https://apps.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/graduate-program-approval-and-accreditation/approved-accredited.aspx
11. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, 2023 Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/eppp_/2023_dr_rpt_012024.pdf