Colleges in Des Moines, Iowa
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in Des Moines, Iowa (4 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $24,349 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 69.8%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 99% of applicants.
The median net price in Des Moines runs about $6,619 higher than the Iowa statewide median of $17,731.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Des Moines, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$24,349
After aid
Median grad rate
69.8%
6-year
Median admission rate
99%
Median enrollment
867
Undergrad
All colleges in Des Moines
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake University Des Moines, IA | IA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $29,127 | 74.0% | 64% | 2,543 | Complete | |
| Grand View University Des Moines, IA | IA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $21,774 | 54.0% | 99% | 1,486 | Complete | |
| Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines, IA | IA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $26,924 | 65.5% | 100% | 867 | Complete | |
| Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines Des Moines, IA | IA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $12,673 | 81.0% | Not available | 74 | Partial | |
| UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology Des Moines, IA | IA | Private nonprofit, 2-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | 16 | Missing |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (4)
Private nonprofit colleges in Des Moines are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Drake UniversityNet price: $29,127Grad: 74.0%
- Grand View UniversityNet price: $21,774Grad: 54.0%
- Mercy College of Health SciencesNet price: $26,924Grad: 65.5%
- UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic TechnologyNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Des Moines operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Iowa School of Beauty-Des MoinesNet price: $12,673Grad: 81.0%
Top programs in Des Moines
Most-completed programs across Des Moines colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions26.3% of degrees
- Business18.4% of degrees
- Education5.7% of degrees
- Psychology5.4% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts4.9% of degrees
- Communication4.7% of degrees
- Parks & recreation4.6% of degrees
- Biological sciences4.3% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Des Moines
Q.How many colleges are in Des Moines, Iowa?
There are 5 colleges and universities in Des Moines, Iowa that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 4 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Des Moines?
By undergraduate enrollment, Drake University is the largest institution in Des Moines with roughly 2,543 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Des Moines?
Based on average net price after aid, Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines is the most affordable institution in Des Moines at $12,673 per year.
Q.Which Des Moines college has the highest graduation rate?
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Des Moines institutions at 81.0%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Des Moines?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in Des Moines is $24,349 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Des Moines?
Across Des Moines colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Education.
Q.Are there community colleges in Des Moines?
Des Moines does not have public 2-year community colleges in the federal dataset; nearby cities in Iowa may offer additional options.
Other cities in Iowa
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Des Moines that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.