2025 Best MBA Programs in Iowa

Compare MBA Program Averages in 2025
Iowa, the U.S. and Online

Averages	Iowa MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs	MBA Programs in the US
Average MBA Tuition	$25,796	$37,225	$42,573
Average GMAT Scores	565	561	567
Average Full-Time MBA Faculty	72	72	72
Average MBA Student Faculty Ratio	16:1	17:1	16:1
Average # of MBA Faculty with Doctorate	79.20%	83.55%	84.32%
Average Full-Time MBA Enrollment	123	287	290
Average Part-Time MBA Enrollment	401	349	322
Average % of MBA Students from U.S.	90%	84%	84%

What is the Average Tuition for MBA Programs in Iowa?

If you plan on attending an MBA program, it’s best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An online MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

While the average in-person MBA program in Iowa will cost about $25,796, the least expensive MBA program is $23,453 from The University of Iowa, and the most expensive is $29,966 from Iowa State University.

An Online MBA program from an institution in Iowa will cost you between $25,848 from Drake University and $29,966 from Iowa State University. The average cost of online MBA programs within Iowa is $27,907.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

Average: $25,796 from Iowa’s 5 in-person MBA Programs
Lowest in-person: $23,453 from The University of Iowa
Highest in-person: $29,966 from Iowa State University

Average Tuition for Online MBA Programs

Average: $27,907 from Iowa’s 3 online MBA Programs
Lowest online: $25,848 from Drake University
Highest online: $29,966 from Iowa State University

What is the Average Graduate MBA Salary in Iowa?

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in Iowa is about $83,468, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $66,000 from University of Northern Iowa, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $112,820 from The University of Iowa.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in Iowa is between $75,552 from Iowa State University and $79,500 from Drake University. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within Iowa is $77,526.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $83,468 from Iowa’s 5 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $66,000 from University of Northern Iowa
• Highest In-Person:$112,820 from The University of Iowa

Average Graduate Salaries for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $77,526 from Iowa’s 3 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $75,552 from Iowa State University
• Highest Online: $79,500 from Drake University

What is the Average ROI for MBA Programs in Iowa?

Choosing an MBA program requires more than a glance at the school’s reputation or curriculum. The return on investment (ROI) should take center stage in your evaluation. This measurement reveals the potential value derived from your tuition investment, putting key factors such as starting salary and career progression under the microscope.

By scrutinizing the ROI, you’re not just making a decision—you’re making an informed one. This approach will ensure the selection of an MBA program that provides the most bang for your buck. Checking the ROI might not be an afterthought; it could be the game-changer in your MBA journey.

While the average in-person MBA program ROI from Iowa is 229%, the lowest ROI is 152% from Iowa State University, and the best ROI is 381% from The University of Iowa.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in Iowa range between 152% from Iowa State University and 208% from Drake University. The average ROI of online MBA programs within Iowa is 180%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 229% from Iowa’s 5 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 152% from Iowa State University
• Highest in-person: 381% from The University of Iowa

Online ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 180% from Iowa’s 3 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 152% from Iowa State University
• Highest online: 208% from Drake University

What is the Average GMAT Score Needed for an MBA Program in Iowa?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in Iowa is 565, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 490 from University of Northern Iowa, and the highest GMAT score needed is 650 from The University of Iowa.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in Iowa is between 510 from Drake University to 609 from Iowa State University. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within Iowa is 560.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 565 from Iowa’s 5 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 490 from University of Northern Iowa
• Highest in-person: 650 from The University of Iowa

Average GMAT Score for Online MBA Programs

• Average: 560 from Iowa’s 3 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 510 from Drake University
• Highest online: 609 from Iowa State University

No GMAT or GRE – Best MBA Programs in Iowa

MBA Schools with the Most Alumni Iowa?

The importance of networking, whether it’s by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For Iowa state’s MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 33 and 231. For part-time enrollment, the range is between : 32.00 and : 1,511.00.

Average Enrollment for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 33 from St. Ambrose University
• Highest: 231 from Iowa State University
• Average: 123 from Iowa’s 5 MBA Programs.
• Average: 296 from 511 the nation’s campus MBA Programs.

Average Enrollment for Online MBA Programs

• Lowest: 33 from St. Ambrose University
• Highest: 231 from Iowa State University
• Average: 111 from Iowa’s 3 MBA Programs.
• Average: 287 from 392 nation’s online MBA Programs.

What MBA Concentrations Available in Iowa?

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of Iowa businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 24 MBA concentrations including:

• Information Systems: 5
• Marketing: 5
• Finance: 5
• Accounting: 4
• Corporate Finance: 4
• Data Analytics: 4
• Economics: 4
• Management: 4
• General Business: 4
• International Business: 3

What Schools Offer the Widest Variety of MBA Concentrations in Iowa?

• Iowa State University: 16
• The University of Iowa: 15
• Drake University: 14
• University of Northern Iowa: 14
• St. Ambrose University: 6

Cities Offering MBA Programs in Iowa

Looking for a particular city in Iowa with an accredited MBA program? Research and compare MBA programs from other cities in Iowa. Find online programs, programs by concentration, by average GMAT score and more.

• Cedar Falls
• Des Moines
• Iowa City

The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The importance of accreditation can’t be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

MBA Program Options Available in Iowa

Options for earning your MBA in Iowa have never been more flexible. Iowa MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule.

Iowa has 5 Accredited MBA programs. 0 private and 3 public schools offering MBA programs.

Iowa has 3 public schools and 0 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

5 Accredited MBA programs.  and 3 public schools offering MBA programs.

Iowa schools offer 9 different paths to earn your MBA in Iowa including Campus, Evenings, Full-Time, Off Campus, Part-Time, Weekends, Online, Partnership and Distance Education.

To meet the diverse needs of Iowa businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 24 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

Awards for MBA Programs in Iowa

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 5 accredited MBA programs offered in Iowa, 4 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication (PQ, US News, Forbes, BW, FT, Economist and MBAGuide) garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

Iowa schools have earned a total of 12 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• The University of Iowa: 7
• Iowa State University: 3
• Drake University: 1
• University of Northern Iowa: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for Iowa schools:

• US News: 2
• Forbes: 1
• BW: 1
• FT: 1
• Economist: 1
• MBAGuide: 4

How We Rank the Best MBA Programs in Iowa

MBAGuide.org employs a comprehensive ranking methodology that combines quantitative data (80% of the score) with qualitative assessments (20%) to evaluate MBA programs. The quantitative component considers factors such as student-faculty ratio, tuition, enrollment, and post-graduation salaries, while the qualitative aspect incorporates editorial ratings and school reputation, providing a well-rounded view of each program’s quality and value.

Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), 520 MBA Schools, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you notice errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.

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