Top Five Colleges and Universities in Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City. The university (IU) was founded on February 25, 1847, less than 2 months after Iowa became a state. Today, approximately 20,770 undergraduate students attend IU. Academically, IU has one of the best postgraduate creative writing programs of any public or private institution, and it also has strong nursing and medical programs, as well as an excellent education program. IU's football and wrestling teams have won several Big Ten titles. It is presently ranked #64 by U.S. News and World Report.
Iowa State University
Iowa State University (ISU) was founded in 1856 as Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts with a land grant that was signed by Abraham Lincoln and is located in Ames, Iowa. Today, ISU has approximately 20,440 undergraduate students. Best known for its outstanding economics department, Iowa State University also has excellent science, engineering and agricultural programs. The Iowa State University Cyclones play in the NCAA's Division I-A and participate in the Big 12 Conference. U.S. News and World Report ranks Iowa State at #85 on its list of top schools in the nation.
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa is located in the city of Cedar Falls, Iowa. This school was founded in 1876 as the Iowa State Normal School. Today, approximately 10,720 undergraduate students attend the University of Northern Iowa. The university has several excellent academic programs, such as the math and computer science programs. The University of Northern Iowa Panthers participate in the NCAA Division I for basketball, wrestling, track, baseball and softball and in Division I-FCS for football.
Drake University
Drake University is a private university founded in 1881 by a preacher and Civil War general, George T. Carpenter. Drake University was named after Francis Marion Drake, a 19th century adventurer and is located in Des Moines, Iowa. Today, the university has approximately 3,250 undergraduate students. Drake is best known for its law, journalism and communication and pharmaceutical science programs. Drake participates in NCAA Division I in several sports, including cross country, basketball, golf, soccer, football, tennis, track and volleyball.
Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit liberal arts university located in Fayette, Iowa. Upper Iowa University was founded in 1875. Today, Upper Iowa University has approximately 4,740 undergraduate students in attendance. The school is best known for its education programs and is accredited in several states including Wisconsin, Iowa, Louisiana and Kansas. Upper Iowa University has football, soccer, basketball, wrestling and other teams and is the only university in Iowa to participate in NCAA Division II.
