List of colleges and universities in Iowa
There are sixty colleges and universities in the U.S. state of Iowa that are listed under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. These institutions include two research universities, nine master's universities, and nineteen baccalaureate colleges, as well as twenty-one associate's colleges. In addition, eleven special-focus institutions and three baccalaureate/associate's colleges operate in the state. The Iowa Board of Regents, a governing board, oversees the state's three public universities – the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.
With 5,713 students, Upper Iowa University is the state's largest private not-for-profit school. The state's oldest post-secondary institution is Loras College, a private Catholic school in Dubuque that was founded in 1839, seven years before Iowa became a state.
The state's only two law schools, the University of Iowa College of Law and Drake University Law School, are both accredited by the American Bar Association. Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and Des Moines University are the state's two medical schools. The majority of Iowa's post-secondary institutions are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Most are accredited by multiple agencies, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the National League for Nursing.
Public universities
Public two-year colleges
Private non-profit
Private for-profit
Abbreviation | Accrediting agency |
AAMFT | American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy |
AANA | American Association of Nurse Anesthetists |
ABA | American Bar Association |
ABFSE | American Board of Funeral Service Education |
ABHE | Association for Biblical Higher Education |
ABHES | Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
ACCSC | Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
ACICS | Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools |
ACPE | Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education |
ACPE | Association for Clinical Pastoral Education |
ADA | American Dental Association |
ADA | American Dietetic Association |
AOA | American Osteopathic Association |
AOTA | American Occupational Therapy Association |
APA | American Psychological Association |
APMA | American Podiatric Medical Association |
APTA | American Physical Therapy Association |
ASHA | American Speech–Language–Hearing Association |
ATSCA | Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada |
AVMA | American Veterinary Medical Association |
CAHME | Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education |
CCE | Council on Chiropractic Education |
CCNE | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education |
CELPA | Commission on English Language Program Accreditation |
CEPH | Council on Education for Public Health |
JRCERT | Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Radiologic Technology |
JRCNMT | Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology |
LCME | Liaison Committee on Medical Education |
NASAD | National Association of Schools of Art and Design |
NASD | National Association of Schools of Dance |
NASM | National Association of Schools of Music |
NAST | National Association of Schools of Theatre |
HLC | Higher Learning Commission |
NCATE | National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education |
NLNAC | National League for Nursing |