Iowa Colleges & Universities
Although a mostly rural Midwestern state, Iowa is home to a number of well-regarded public and private colleges and among the best-educated populace in the United States with a thriving green energy sector.
Iowa Colleges and Universities: Train for Diverse Jobs from Agriculture to Biotech
The state is still known as the Food Capital of the World, but Iowa colleges, universities, and industries have diversified from agricultural opportunities to include those in the booming financial and biotechnology sectors.
The state earns consistently high marks for its educational system. Business Facilities Magazine has honored Iowa colleges and universities by ranking the state sixth overall for obtaining a quality education.
The number of Iowa colleges, universities and technical and vocational schools now stands at about 60. Its three large universities offer reasonably priced, high-quality programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The more than 30 private and public colleges and community colleges in Iowa focus primarily on undergraduate education.
Iowa Schools Provide Industry, Business and Career Opportunities
Food processing and farm implement manufacturing still remain major industries in the state, serving the more than 100,000 Iowa farms. Iowa is the third largest producer of food in the country. Iowa's economy, however, has diversified in the past 50 years to also include:
• Manufacturing
• Financial services
• Biotechnology
• Fiber optics telecommunications
• A rapidly growing green energy sector, ranking:
• 1st in the country in the production of ethanol
• 2nd in bio-diesel
• 2nd in wind-generated energy
Iowa's capital of Des Moines serves as the headquarters for nearly 70 insurance companies and the regional offices of 100 others, making the state a major insurance center. In addition, healthcare employs almost 25 percent of the state's workforce. Its agricultural foundation also has led the way for biotechnology firms that research areas such as new, high-yield crops.
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