For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Iowa is $10,669 for Iowa residents and $27,988 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Iowa, the average tuition & fees are $35,382 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Iowa is $12,665 for Iowa residents and $28,751 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Iowa, the average graduate tuition is $13,257.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $14,425 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $14,937. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.
You can compare all Iowa colleges in various ways:
Average Cost of Attendance (COA)
In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2025 average COA of the four-year colleges in Iowa is $25,762 for residents and $43,081 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $51,433. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $21,052 for Iowa residents and $22,014 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2025 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
| Iowa Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $25,762 | $43,081 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $51,433 | |
| Community Colleges | $21,052 | $22,014 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Iowa, 73 out of 75 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 19 public and 38 private colleges in Iowa. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Iowa is $10,669 for Iowa residents and $27,988 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $33,219
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $6,228 for residents and $7,190 for out-of-state students.
| Iowa Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $10,669 | $27,988 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $33,219 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $6,228 | $7,190 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $17,061 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In Iowa, 29 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Iowa is $11,124 for Iowa residents and $27,210 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $12,726
| Iowa Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $11,124 | $27,210 |
| Private Schools | $12,726 | |
Tuition per Credit Hour
The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in Iowa is $377 for Iowa residents and $1,098 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,124
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $614 for Iowa residents and $1,511 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $717
| Iowa Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $377 | $1,098 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,124 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $207 | $243 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $614 | $1,511 |
| Private Schools | $717 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Iowa
At colleges in Iowa, the average living cost is $14,425 when a student lives on campus facility and $14,937 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $13,624 | $14,572 |
| Private Schools | $14,900 | $15,176 |
