Educational Attainment
30.6% of Iowa adults age 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher, per 2023 ACS data.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502IA).
| Indicator | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6 | 35.7 |
- •Iowa is home to numerous public and private colleges contributing to its educational attainment levels.
Schools
Iowa operates approximately 1,330 public schools serving about 497,000 students.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
- •Public education in Iowa is organized primarily through local school districts.
Universities
The University of Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa lead the public system, backed by a strong community college network.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
Graduation Rates
Iowa's public high school graduation rate reached 91.6% for the 2022-2023 school year.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 91.6 | 87 |
- •Iowa's graduation rate has generally trended upward over the past decade.
Student Enrollment
Iowa's public schools enrolled about 497,000 K-12 students in the 2023-2024 school year.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
- •Iowa's K-12 enrollment trends reflect broader state population and migration patterns.
Student-Teacher Ratios
Iowa maintains an average student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 in public schools.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
- •Smaller student-teacher ratios in Iowa are often associated with rural school districts.