Best Social Work Schools in Iowa

Iowa has 10 colleges offering Social Work programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 194 recent graduates. Graduates earn $31,183 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $31,424.

Schools in IA

$31,183

IA Avg. Earnings

$31,424

National Avg.

482

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Social Work in Iowa

Public Schools (2)

$32,849

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (7)

$30,517

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Iowa produce comparable or higher early earnings for Social Work graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Social Work Schools in Iowa, Ranked by Earnings

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public

$32,772

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,698

Graduates: 50

Acceptance: 84.7%

Loras College

Dubuque, IA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,873

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 91.8%

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public

$32,925

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,930

Graduates: 68

Acceptance: 94.4%

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, IA ·

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,406

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: N/A

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, IA · Private

$36,560

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,397

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 78.8%

Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private

$32,925

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,388

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 73.3%

Grand View University

Des Moines, IA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 98.4%

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA · Private

$28,598

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 71.8%

Dordt University

Sioux Center, IA · Private

Wartburg College

Waverly, IA · Private

$26,121

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 99.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Social Work in Iowa?

University of Iowa ranks #1 for Social Work in Iowa with median graduate earnings of $32,772 within two years of graduation. There are 10 schools offering Social Work programs in the state.

How much do Social Work graduates earn in Iowa?

Social Work graduates in Iowa earn an average of $31,183 within two years of graduation. This is 1% below the national average of $31,424 for this major.

What is the hardest Social Work school to get into in Iowa?

Dordt University is the most selective Social Work program in Iowa with an acceptance rate of 71.2%. The average acceptance rate across Social Work programs in the state is 84.8%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Social Work in Iowa?

In Iowa, private Social Work programs produce average earnings of $30,517 vs $32,849 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 2 public and 7 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Iowa

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $71,489 Computer Science $67,647 Industrial Engineering $67,486 Chemical Engineering $66,073 Computer and Information Sciences, General $61,418 Management Information Systems and Services $61,155 Civil Engineering $60,985 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods $59,161

All colleges in Iowa →

Social Work in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.