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

16 Colleges in the United States
1,077 Psychology Degrees Awarded
$40,384 Avg Early-Career Salary

Psychology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their psychology programs.

College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best psychology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Psychology in Iowa

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

Top Schools in Psychology

1

No school ranked higher than Iowa State University this year for psychology. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 221 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $34,155 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,121 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Iowa State University

2

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 113 psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $32,673 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at University Of Northern Iowa

3
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 41 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $56,228 in their early career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $20,248 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Drake University

4
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Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux City. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 20 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Morningside College in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $54,988 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,281 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Morningside College

5
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Luther College
Decorah, IA

A rank of #5 makes Luther College one of the top schools for psychology. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Luther College awarded about 10 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. Read more about the psychology program at Luther College

6

Northwestern College Iowa ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $54,845 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Northwestern College Iowa

7

Saint Ambrose University earned the #7 position for psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Davenport. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 psychology degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Saint Ambrose University earn around $32,627 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,190. Read more about the psychology program at Saint Ambrose University

8

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. About 53 psychology degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $43,121 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Des Moines Area Community College

9
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Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College came in at #9 for psychology this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Wartburg College awarded about 18 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the psychology program at Wartburg College

10
Loras College crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College earned the #10 position for psychology this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 27 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Loras College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Loras College earn around $23,564 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Loras College

11
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell College in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full psychology details for Cornell College

12
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Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College placed #12 among the best psychology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Indianola. Simpson College graduates 63% of students within six years. Simpson College awarded about 11 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $48,888 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the psychology program at Simpson College

13

University Of Dubuque landed the #13 spot for psychology this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dubuque in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from University Of Dubuque earn around $53,808 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Dubuque graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. See the full psychology program report for University Of Dubuque

14

Iowa Western Community College placed #14 among the best psychology schools. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. About 28 psychology degrees were awarded at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $43,444 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,153. Get the full psychology details for Iowa Western Community College

15
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College earned the #15 position for psychology this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 psychology degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $28,507. Students borrow a median of $17,702 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in psychology from Grinnell College

16
Coe College crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 18 psychology degrees were awarded at Coe College in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $37,072 in their early career. Coe College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Coe College

17
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Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University placed #17 among the best psychology schools. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Buena Vista University graduates 62% of students within six years. Buena Vista University awarded about 61 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $49,294 in their early career. Buena Vista University graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in psychology from Buena Vista University

18
Mount Mercy University crest
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University placed #18 among the best psychology schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mercy University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $34,536 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,882 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at Mount Mercy University

19
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA

Central College landed the #19 spot for psychology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Pella. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 17 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Central College generally make around $29,923. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full psychology details for Central College

20
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Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. About 24% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Waldorf College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Waldorf College earn around $41,193 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,198 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Waldorf College

21
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University came in at #21 for psychology this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 psychology degrees were awarded at Grand View University in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $34,709 in their early career. Grand View University graduates carry a median of $28,200 in student loans. See the full psychology program report for Grand View University

22

Iowa Central Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. About 12 psychology degrees were awarded at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,135. See the full psychology program report for Iowa Central Community College

23

Upper Iowa University came in at #23 for psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 107 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Upper Iowa University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $48,561 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $38,594. See the full psychology program report for Upper Iowa University

24

Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #24 for psychology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Davenport. About 17 psychology degrees were awarded at Eastern Iowa Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $41,510 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Eastern Iowa Community College District

25
Clarke University crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA

Clarke University earned the #25 position for psychology this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Clarke University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 15 psychology degrees were awarded at Clarke University in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Clarke University earn around $26,714 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at Clarke University

Rest of the Top 26 Psychology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for psychology this year:

26

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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