See how the Wall Street Journal ranks the schools

The rivalry between Iowa and Iowa State isn’t limited to athletic courts. While fans may sweat over the outcome of a Cy-Hawk game, the schools also compete for students and academics.

The Wall Street Journal scored and ranked the top 500 public and private universities in the country for 2025. While neither Iowa nor Iowa State made the top 100 schools, one did rank higher than the other.

How did the Wall Street Journal rank Iowa and Iowa State

Iowa State University not only beat the University of Iowa, but it was the highest-ranked post-secondary school in the state, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Iowa State ranked 119th on the list while the University of Iowa’s overall rank was 162.

Drake University also outperformed the University of Iowa but fell short of topping ISU. The University of Nothern Iowa was not included on the Journal’s list.

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

How did the Wall Street Journal determine its best colleges list?

The Wall Street Journal evaluated student outcomes such as “salary impact score,” which compares graduate salaries to the cost of attending. It also looked at graduation rate, learning opportunities, preparation for a career, recommendation score, learning facilities, diversity and character development. Each of these categories was scored on a 1 to 100 scale, with 100 being the best score. Schools were then compared and ranked based on the overall score.

How do the two schools’ scores compare?

Iowa State’s overall score was 75, while the University of Iowa’s was 70.6.

The University of Iowa scored better in salary impact, diversity and character development.

Iowa State had higher scores than Iowa in graduation rate, learning opportunities, preparation for career, learning facilities and recommendation score.

How did Iowa State University score in each category?

• Salary impact score: 79
• Graduation rate score: 80
• Diversity: 41
• Learning opportunities: 67
• Preparation for career: 71
• Learning facilities: 78
• Character development: 78
• Recommendation score: 79

How did the University of Iowa score?

• Salary impact score: 83
• Graduation rate score: 65
• Diversity: 42
• Learning opportunities: 64
• Preparation for career: 68
• Learning facilities: 76
• Character development: 81
• Recommendation score: 76

What are the best colleges, according to the Wall Street Journal?

1. Princeton University – private school scoring 92.3
2. Babson College – private school scoring 91.9
3. Stanford University – private school scoring 91.6

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