Iowa Ranks Top 10 for College Graduation Rates

Residents of Iowa have always known the University of Iowa was "tops" when it came to the medical fields, just like engineering and ag are "simply the best" at Iowa State. In fact, we have a proud tradition of academic performance in the state: our average ACT scores are at an even 21, higher than the 19.4 national average and our state offers one of the highest graduation rates. Those stats continue to hold out when it comes to our in-state colleges.

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According to a recent study by Hennessey Digital, Iowa ranks 7th in the entire nation for college graduation rates, with a solid 69.44% of students completing their degrees. That’s well above the national average of 60.92%; meaning nearly 7 out of 10 in-state students are walking across the stage with their hard-earned diplomas. That’s nothing short of impressive.

Even better, this puts Iowa ahead of much larger, wealthier states like California, New York, and Texas, showing that size and coastline do NOT equal educational success. The ranking reflects our strong public universities, supportive campus communities, and tuition costs that don’t break the bank, making it easier for students to finish what they started, or continued from their high school career. Meanwhile, states like Alaska, Nevada, and New Mexico are struggling, with graduation rates below 48%. In contrast, Eastern states dominate the top of the list, with Massachusetts leading the way at 75.41%.

For Iowans, it’s just one more reason to be proud of our schools. From the cornfields to the city streets, our students are showing that hard work, determination, and a little Midwestern grit can carry them all the way to graduation day. Sky's the limit on where they could go from there.