Northwestern College ranked among Iowa's best four-year colleges

Northwestern College and the University of Iowa are tied for fifth place in BestColleges.com’s ranking of the best four-year colleges in Iowa.

The ranking, available online at www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-colleges-in-iowa, scores colleges based on acceptance, retention, graduation and enrollment rates, in addition to student loan default percentages, which recognizes the importance of students’ ability to pay off debt after graduation. The ranking uses data from the Department of Education’s IPEDS and College Navigator databases.

Joining Northwestern in the top five were Grinnell College, first; Cornell College, second; Drake University, third; and the University of Northern Iowa, fourth. Among the other colleges ranked were Iowa State, sixth; Luther, seventh; Central, ninth; Simpson, 14th; Dordt, 15th; Morningside, 17th; Wartburg, 18th; and Buena Vista, 19th.

“This ranking is an affirmation of the excellent education students are receiving at Northwestern College,” says Mark Bloemendaal, dean of enrollment and marketing. “It reflects the work of top-notch faculty who are both excellent teachers and scholars. This high rank also shows that each student receives a comprehensive education that will help them to be successful after graduation.”

The site also ranked the best two-year colleges in Iowa, with Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon taking the top spot. The community college has an articulation transfer agreement with Northwestern.