Top 3 Game Development Programs in Iowa 2025
Grinnell College
62 game development graduates annually, 98% graduation rate
Maharishi International University
376 game development graduates annually, 55% graduation rate
Iowa State University
106 game development graduates annually, 99% graduation rate
- 1.Iowa offers 22+ accredited game development programs across public and private universities
- 2.Grinnell College leads with 98% graduation rate
- 3.Iowa software developers earn median $89,450 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City
- 5.Cost of living index: 90.1% of US average (below average)
Game Development Education in Iowa: Overview
Iowa offers 22 accredited game development programs, producing approximately 812 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, with major employers including Principal Financial, Wellmark, Rockwell Collins.
With a median software developer salary of $89,450 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 90.1% compared to the US average, Iowa offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top game development programs in the state are led by Grinnell College, Maharishi International University, Iowa State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Iowa Game Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | Private | $64,342 | 98% | 71.8 |
| 2 | Maharishi International University | Fairfield, IA | Private | $16,000 | 55% | 64.7 |
| 3 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | Public | $8,982 | 99% | 60.8 |
| 4 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | Public | $9,016 | 93% | 60.4 |
| 5 | William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA | Private | $28,750 | 95% | 46.3 |
| 6 | Grand View University | Des Moines, IA | Private | $32,800 | 99% | 43.6 |
| 7 | Northwestern College | Orange City, IA | Private | $35,000 | 99% | 43.6 |
| 8 | Clarke University | Dubuque, IA | Private | $38,400 | 81% | 43.1 |
| 9 | Simpson College | Indianola, IA | Private | $45,306 | 87% | 40.2 |
| 10 | Briar Cliff University | Sioux City, IA | Private | $33,369 | — | 37.9 |
| 11 | Luther College | Decorah, IA | Private | $49,650 | — | 37.6 |
| 12 | Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, IA | Private | $35,318 | — | 36.7 |
| 13 | Coe College | Cedar Rapids, IA | Private | $52,226 | — | 36.3 |
| 14 | University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | Public | $8,396 | — | 35.9 |
| 15 | Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | Private | $36,680 | — | 35.7 |
| 16 | Cornell College | Mount Vernon, IA | Private | $49,970 | — | 35.6 |
| 17 | Central College | Pella, IA | Private | $20,988 | — | 34.1 |
| 18 | Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | Private | $38,070 | — | 32.1 |
| 19 | Loras College | Dubuque, IA | Private | $36,454 | — | 31.1 |
| 20 | Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | Public | $4,680 | — | 28.3 |
| 21 | Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | Public | $5,880 | — | 27.2 |
| 22 | Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville, IA | Public | $6,464 | — | 25.6 |
Top 5 Game Development Programs in Iowa: Side-by-Side
| School | Grinnell College | Maharishi International | Iowa State | U of Iowa | William Penn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $64,342 | $16,000 | $8,982 | $9,016 | $28,750 |
| Graduation Rate | 98% | 55% | 99% | 93% | 95% |
| Annual Graduates | 62 | 376 | 106 | 110 | 1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 13% | 97% | 89% | 85% | 57% |
| Type | Private | Private | Public | Public | Private |
| Score | 71.8/100 | 64.7/100 | 60.8/100 | 60.4/100 | 46.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in Iowa
Iowa offers 19 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Grinnell College, Iowa State University, University of Iowa. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $62,615 in the Iowa market.
A bachelor's in game development typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Game Development Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Game Development Bachelor's Programs in Iowa
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Grinnell College | $64,342 | 98% | 62 | 71.8 |
| #2 Iowa State | $8,982 | 99% | 106 | 60.8 |
| #3 U of Iowa | $9,016 | 93% | 110 | 60.4 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Iowa
For graduate study, Iowa offers 2 master's-level game development programs. Leading institutions include Maharishi International University, Iowa State University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Iowa reaching $116,285 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best game development master's programs for more options beyond Iowa.
Top 3 Game Development Master's Programs in Iowa
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Maharishi International | $16,000 | 55% | 376 | 64.7 |
| #2 Iowa State | $8,982 | 99% | 29 | 49.1 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in Iowa
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in Iowa are at Eastern Iowa Community College District ($4,680/year), Kirkwood Community College ($5,880/year), Iowa Lakes Community College ($6,464/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Iowa's competitive tech salaries.
At Eastern Iowa Community College District, a 4-year degree costs approximately $18,720 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $62,615, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.7 years. See our Most Affordable Game Development Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Game Development Programs in Iowa (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Eastern Iowa Community... | $4,680 | $18,720 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #2 Kirkwood Community College | $5,880 | $23,520 | 0.9 years | Public |
| #3 Iowa Lakes Community College | $6,464 | $25,856 | 0.9 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Game Development Schools in Iowa
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 game development programs in Iowa, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $64,342 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 98% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 62 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 13%
- • Ranking Score: 71.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 98% graduation rate
- 62 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 71.8 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (98%), program size (62 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (13% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Maharishi International University
Fairfield, IA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $16,000 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 55% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 376 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 97%
- • Ranking Score: 64.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 55% graduation rate
- 376 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 64.7 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (55%), program size (376 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (97% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,982 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 99% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 106 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 89%
- • Ranking Score: 60.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 99% graduation rate
- 106 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 60.8 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (99%), program size (106 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (89% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,016 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 93% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 110 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 85%
- • Ranking Score: 60.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 93% graduation rate
- 110 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 60.4 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (93%), program size (110 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (85% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $28,750 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 1 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 57%
- • Ranking Score: 46.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 1 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 46.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (1 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (57% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
Game Development Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City
- You're seeking lower cost of living (90.1% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Principal Financial or Wellmark
- You prefer Iowa's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Iowa's 22)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Game Development in Iowa FAQ
Based on 22 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Game Development degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Iowa-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Iowa salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.