Colleges in Iowa That Accept a 3.5 GPA

A 3.5 GPA is a safety at one school and a long shot at another, so these schools are split into likely, target and reach rather than one list. Every number is the school's own average admitted GPA, from U.S. Department of Education data. Only Iowa schools are listed here.

Likely

Schools where the average admitted student is below 3.5 GPA. You are above their typical applicant.

• William Penn University — Oskaloosa, IA · 3.00 avg GPA
• Morningside University — Sioux City, IA · 3.00 avg GPA
• Dordt University — Sioux Center, IA · 3.30 avg GPA
• Buena Vista University — Storm Lake, IA · 3.30 avg GPA
• Saint Ambrose University — Davenport, IA · 3.00 avg GPA
• Briar Cliff University — Sioux City, IA · 3.20 avg GPA
• Clarke University — Dubuque, IA · 3.25 avg GPA
• Graceland University-Lamoni — Lamoni, IA · 3.15 avg GPA
• Grand View University — Des Moines, IA · 3.20 avg GPA
• Mount Mercy University — Cedar Rapids, IA · 3.25 avg GPA

Target

Schools where the average admitted student is right around 3.5 GPA. These are realistic, competitive picks.

• Iowa State University — Ames, IA · 3.50 avg GPA
• University of Iowa — Iowa City, IA · 3.50 avg GPA
• Drake University — Des Moines, IA · 3.50 avg GPA
• Coe College — Cedar Rapids, IA · 3.60 avg GPA
• Luther College — Decorah, IA · 3.60 avg GPA
• Central College — Pella, IA · 3.35 avg GPA

Reach

Schools where the average admitted student is above 3.5 GPA. Possible, but you would be applying from below the median.

• Cornell College — Mount Vernon, IA · 3.70 avg GPA
• Grinnell College — Grinnell, IA · 3.85 avg GPA

All colleges that accept a 3.5 GPA, nationwide

Colleges in Iowa That Accept a 3.5 GPA on PickACampus