For the 2026 school year, there are 259 private schools serving 52,737 students in Iowa (there are 1,322 public schools, serving 497,791 students). 10% of all K-12 students in Iowa attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $8,999 for elementary schools and $11,342 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Iowa include Dowling Catholic High School, Cedar Ridge Christian School, and Heartland Christian School.
The average acceptance rate is 87% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 16% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (IA)
US
# Schools
259 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
52,737 Students
5,691,246 Students
% Average Students of Color
16%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
4,271 Teachers
508,046 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
39%
55%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
9 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1236
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$9,300
$14,923
Average Summer Program Cost
$611
$1,149
Average % on Financial Aid
37%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,780
$7,216
Average Acceptance Rate
87%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$23.33 million
$62.86 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.65
# American Indian Students
116 Students
29,824 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,075 Students
264,948 Students
% Asian Students
2%
5%
# Hispanic Students
3,392 Students
506,932 Students
% Hispanic Students
7%
9%
# Black Students
1,537 Students
415,837 Students
% Black Students
3%
7%
# White Students
36,965 Students
2,930,905 Students
% White Students
70%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
98 Students
20,066 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
9,663 Students
1,472,563 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 Dowling Catholic High School, Cedar Ridge Christian School, and Heartland Christian School.
How many private schools are located in Iowa?
There are 259 private schools are located in Iowa.
How much do private schools cost in Iowa?
The average private school tuition in Iowa is $8,999 for elementary schools and $11,342 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?
10% 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, Ames Christian School vs. St. Cecilia Elementary School
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