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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Biology Studies Schools in Iowa

15 Colleges in the United States
585 Biology Studies Degrees Awarded
$38,640 Avg Early-Career Salary

Biology Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for biology studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Biology Studies in Iowa

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall biology studies education in Iowa.

Top Schools in Biology Studies

1
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Our analysis ranked Grinnell College the best school in the country for a degree in biology studies. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Grinnell College graduates 88% of students within six years. About 33 biology studies degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Grinnell College earn around $37,170 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the biology studies program at Grinnell College

2

University Of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biology studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $36,286 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the biology studies program at University Of Northern Iowa

3

A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for biology studies. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 173 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $30,702. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $24,614 in student loans. Get the full biology studies details for Iowa State University

4
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Students looking for a strong biology studies program will find one at Drake University, which ranked #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 biology studies degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Drake University earn around $41,226 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,343. More information about a degree in biology studies from Drake University

5

Northwestern College Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biology studies, ranking #5. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 biology studies degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $54,845 in their early career. Northwestern College Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Get the full biology studies details for Northwestern College Iowa

6
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College landed the #6 spot for biology studies this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Dordt College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Dordt College in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete this degree. Read more about the biology studies program at Dordt College

7
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 102 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of Iowa earn around $34,813 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,512 to complete this degree. Read more about the biology studies program at University Of Iowa

8
Clarke University crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA

Clarke University landed the #8 spot for biology studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dubuque. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Clarke University awarded about 11 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $53,450. Typical student debt for the program is $26,895. See the full biology studies program report for Clarke University

9
Coe College crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 biology studies degrees were awarded at Coe College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $41,112. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full biology studies program report for Coe College

10
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College landed the #10 spot for biology studies this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. Wartburg College awarded about 20 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $34,398 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full biology studies program report for Wartburg College

11
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College earned the #11 position for biology studies this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 biology studies degrees were awarded at Luther College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $29,359 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full biology studies details for Luther College

12
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Morningside College graduates 50% of students within six years. About 26 biology studies degrees were awarded at Morningside College in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $32,620 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full biology studies program report for Morningside College

13

Des Moines Area Community College placed #13 among the best biology studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. There were roughly 20 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Typical student debt for the program is $14,956. See the full biology studies program report for Des Moines Area Community College

14

Saint Ambrose University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $30,825. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full biology studies program report for Saint Ambrose University

15
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA

Central College earned the #15 position for biology studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Pella. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 13 biology studies degrees were awarded at Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Central College earn around $26,933 in the first couple years of their career. Central College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full biology studies details for Central College

16

William Penn University came in at #16 for biology studies this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. There were roughly 16 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at William Penn University in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $36,449 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full biology studies details for William Penn University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 41 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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