The Iowa vs. Iowa State debate continues. See which school U.S. News ranked higher.

The University of Iowa and Iowa State dropped in the rankings on the 2025 U.S. News Best College list, but one university remained in the top 100.

While the Wall Street Journal favored Iowa State University as the best public college in the state of Iowa, U.S. News has a different take placing the University of Iowa 23 spots higher.

U.S. News divides its ranking into four categories: national universities, national liberal arts colleges, regional universities and regional colleges. The regional colleges and universities were ranked by region and not compared nationally, the publication said.

Three schools in Iowa made the top 200 for national universities and six made the top 200 for national liberal arts colleges. Grinnell College earned the highest rank of any school on a national list, coming in at No. 19 for national liberal arts colleges.

Which Iowa university ranked the best, according to U.S. News?

The University of Iowa had the best overall rank out of the six Iowa schools included on U.S. News’ 2025 Best College list for national universities at No. 98. But, its ranking did drop from last year, when it ranked No. 93 on the 2024 list.

Iowa State University was the second best out of all the schools listed. Iowa State University also dropped from No. 115 on the 2024 list to No. 121 for 2025, according to the Gazette.

More: Former UI staffer charged after audit alleges he diverted $1 million from his department

How did each Iowa university rank?

Here are all of the universities in Iowa that were ranked by U.S. News for 2025:

• University of Iowa: No. 98
• Iowa State University: No. 121
• Drake University: No. 179
• Saint Ambrose University: No. 315
• Clark University: No. 329
• Briar Cliff University: No. 371

The University of Northern Iowa is classified as a regional university, by U.S. News and ranked No. 11 in the Midwest. Dordt University also made the Midwest list at No. 6.

More: What’s the top private college in Iowa? See what the Wall Street Journal says.

Which Iowa liberal arts college ranked best?

Grinnell College made the Top 20 for national liberal arts colleges, coming in tied at No. 19 with Middlebury College in Vermont and Washington and Lee University in Virginia.

How did each Iowa liberal arts college rank?

• Grinnell College: No. 19
• Luther College: No. 108
• Central College: No. 126
• Cornell College: No. 132
• Coe College: No. 136
• Wartburg College: No. 158

Simpson College was classified as a regional college by U.S. News and ranked No. 6 in the Midwest. Loras College also made the regional list at No. 12.

More: Which of Iowa’s universities has the most students? Little change in fall 2024 enrollment

How did other schools do?

Here are the top five universities in America, according to U.S. News.

1. Princeton University
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Harvard University
4. Stanford University
5. Yale University

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.