Iowa is uniquely rich in tuition-free and fully funded opportunities. From large public universities with funded graduate programs to small private colleges with generous promise scholarships and community colleges offering free degrees, the state provides multiple pathways to an affordable education.
Let’s explore 20 Iowa schools that provide fully funded opportunities, explain how their programs work, and give you practical tips for making the most of them.
Public Universities with Graduate Funding
1) University of Iowa (Iowa City)
The University of Iowa is the state’s flagship institution, and many of its graduate programs provide assistantships with full tuition scholarships. Graduate assistants, research assistants, and teaching assistants often receive complete tuition coverage, fee waivers, and stipends.
2) Iowa State University (Ames)
Iowa State funds hundreds of graduate students through teaching and research assistantships. Students who secure at least a half-time appointment receive a tuition scholarship that can cover up to 100% of tuition, alongside a monthly stipend and health insurance.
3) University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls)
At UNI, graduate students can access both Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships. These awards range from partial to full tuition coverage and are competitive, making UNI an affordable choice for students looking to continue their education.
Private Colleges with Full-Tuition Promise Programs
4) Grinnell College (Grinnell)
Grinnell is need-blind for domestic applicants and pledges to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans. For many students, this translates to a completely tuition-free education.
5) Drake University (Des Moines)
Drake offers multiple full-tuition pathways, including its National Alumni Scholarship and the Bulldog Promise, which provides free tuition to qualifying Iowa residents.
6) Coe College (Cedar Rapids)
Coe’s Williston Jones Scholarship Program awards full-tuition scholarships to select students each year, in addition to other performance-based awards.
7) Cornell College (Mount Vernon)
Through its Tuition Zero and Iowa Promise initiatives, Cornell guarantees full tuition for Iowa students from households earning under $100,000.
8) St. Ambrose University (Davenport)
The Ambrose Advantage covers full tuition for Pell-eligible Iowa residents who also qualify for the Iowa Tuition Grant.
9) Loras College (Dubuque)
The Loras Promise covers 100% of tuition for students eligible for both Pell and the Iowa Tuition Grant, with no on-campus living requirement.
10) Clarke University (Dubuque)
The Clarke Promise ensures tuition is fully covered for Iowa residents who qualify for state and federal grants.
11) Mount Mercy University (Cedar Rapids)
Mount Mercy’s Catherine McAuley Scholarship guarantees full tuition and fees for qualifying Iowa high school graduates.
12) Grand View University (Des Moines)
Grand View’s GV Next Program covers 100% of tuition for Iowa students from families earning less than $70,000 or who qualify for maximum Pell Grants.
13) Morningside University (Sioux City)
The Access to Mside program provides full-tuition scholarships and grants for 150 students annually across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
14) Upper Iowa University (Fayette)
Through its Peacock Promise, Upper Iowa guarantees free tuition for any student eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant who attends the Fayette campus.
15) Central College (Pella)
Central awards multiple full-tuition scholarships through its annual Scholar Day competitions.
16) Simpson College (Indianola)
Simpson’s promise programs, including the 99 County Full-Tuition and All-In for Iowa, offer tuition-free pathways for qualifying students.
17) Wartburg College (Waverly)
Wartburg provides McElroy and Slife full-tuition scholarships to outstanding first-year students, especially from the Waterloo–Cedar Falls area.
18) Buena Vista University (Storm Lake)
Buena Vista University pledges to ensure 100% of tuition is covered for eligible students through federal, state, and institutional grants.
Community Colleges with Tuition-Free Pathways
Iowa’s Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship makes community college degrees in high-demand fields tuition-free for eligible students.
19) Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
Through the Last-Dollar Scholarship, DMACC fills in remaining tuition and fee gaps for residents in selected programs.
20) Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids)
Kirkwood advertises more than 25 tuition-free degree programs supported by Last-Dollar Scholarships, ensuring students can enter high-demand industries without tuition costs.
