For the 2026 school year, there are 254 private schools serving 52,607 students in Iowa (there are 1,320 public schools, serving 501,674 students). 9% of all K-12 students in Iowa attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $9,547 for elementary schools and $11,290 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Iowa include Sacred Heart Continuation School, Scattergood Friends School, and Rivermont Collegiate.
The average acceptance rate is 85% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 16% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (IA)
US
# Schools
254 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
52,607 Students
5,709,224 Students
% Average Students of Color
16%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
4,272 Teachers
507,774 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
40%
55%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
9 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1236
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$9,791
$15,013
Average Summer Program Cost
$611
$1,152
Average % on Financial Aid
37%
34%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,769
$7,073
Average Acceptance Rate
85%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$23.33 million
$60.79 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.65
# American Indian Students
116 Students
30,181 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,075 Students
265,374 Students
% Asian Students
2%
5%
# Hispanic Students
3,392 Students
508,007 Students
% Hispanic Students
7%
9%
# Black Students
1,537 Students
417,245 Students
% Black Students
3%
7%
# White Students
36,965 Students
2,938,314 Students
% White Students
70%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
98 Students
22,255 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
9,533 Students
1,471,996 Students
% of Others Students
18%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Iowa Private Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Cedar Hills (3 schools), Noelridge Park (2 schools), Southwest Area (2 schools), Merle Hay (2 schools), Penn (2 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Iowa?
The top-ranked private schools in Iowa include Sacred Heart Continuation School, Scattergood Friends School, and Rivermont Collegiate.
How many private schools are located in Iowa?
There are 254 private schools are located in Iowa.
How much do private schools cost in Iowa?
The average private school tuition in Iowa is $9,547 for elementary schools and $11,290 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Iowa?
Approximately 16% of students in Iowa private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Iowa go to private school?
9% of all K-12 students in Iowa attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Iowa?
Which private schools in Iowa are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Iowa include: Suburan Hgts. Baptist Church vs. Maharishi School, Burlington Notre Dame vs. Great River Christian School, St. Cecilia Elementary School vs. Ames Christian School
Recent Articles
Free Private Schools & Voucher Programs in 2025
Updated guide to free private schools and school voucher programs, 2025 policies, costs, equity issues, and how families access tuition support.
Social Emotional Learning 2025: Policy, Practice and Outcomes
Updated 2025 review of social emotional learning in schools, research outcomes, key trends, challenges and future paths for parents and educators.
Private School Admissions for Siblings: Costs and Timing
Learn how private school admissions for siblings affect costs, discounts, and timing strategies for families planning multiple enrollments.
