What is the best public high school in Iowa?

Iowa City West High School is consistently ranked as the best public high school in Iowa by U.S. News & World Report, praised for its strong college readiness and curriculum breadth, with other top contenders often including schools like Pleasant Valley and Iowa City High, but the "best" can vary by specific metrics like test scores, graduation rates, or student reviews, so checking recent rankings from sources like U.S. News or Niche is best.

What is the #1 high school in Iowa?

The #1 high school in Iowa, according to recent U.S. News & World Report, is consistently Iowa City West High School, recognized for its strong college readiness, AP participation, and graduation rates, often leading rankings for several years running, followed closely by schools like Gilbert High School and Decorah High School. These rankings consider factors like curriculum, state assessment proficiency, and performance of underserved students. 

What is Iowa ranked #1 in?

Iowa ranks #1 nationally in producing corn, hogs, eggs, ethanol, and biodiesel, leading in several key agricultural areas, and also ranks highly in conservation practices, but surprisingly leads in having the most structurally deficient bridges. While it's a powerhouse in agriculture and boasts strengths in areas like opportunity and education, it also faces challenges, notably with its infrastructure, despite some efforts. 

What is the best school district in Iowa?

There isn't one single "best" district, but Decorah, North Polk, and Ankeny consistently rank highly in Iowa for academics, with Decorah noted for high test scores/graduation, North Polk for performance reports, and Ankeny for strong proficiency in math/reading; other top contenders often mentioned are West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale, and Ames, depending on specific factors like location and program needs. 

What is the hardest school to get into in Iowa?

The hardest college to get into in Iowa is overwhelmingly Grinnell College, a selective private liberal arts school known for its rigorous academics and low acceptance rates, often around 10-15%, placing it among the most selective in the nation. While other Iowa schools like St. Luke's College, Faith Baptist Bible College, and William Penn University have lower rates than large universities, Grinnell stands out as the most difficult for admission.
 

Iowa's best public high school: See what school tops US News & World Report's rankings this year

What state is #1 in public education?

There isn't one single #1 state for education, as rankings vary by focus (K-12 vs. Higher Ed) and source, but Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Florida consistently rank at the top, with Massachusetts leading K-12, New Jersey overall (K-12 & Higher Ed), and Florida for higher education affordability/completion.
 

What is the #1 high school in America?

The #1 high school in the U.S. depends on the ranking source, but for the 2025-2026 U.S. News rankings, it's BASIS Tucson North (AZ) for public schools, while Niche places the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NC) at #1 for public schools, with private options like Phillips Academy also highly ranked by others like PolarisList. These rankings assess factors like college readiness, AP/IB scores, and graduation rates, often highlighting STEM-focused magnet or charter schools.
 

What percentage of Iowa is white?

About 89% of Iowa's population is White alone, though this percentage drops to around 83-84% for White (Non-Hispanic) residents, with the most recent data showing figures like 89.0% White alone (Census Bureau) and 83.7% White (non-Hispanic) (USAFacts 2022), reflecting a decrease from previous years as minority populations, particularly Hispanic, have grown.
 

Where does Iowa rank in crime?

How Is the Crime Rate in Iowa Compared to Other States? Compared to the rest of the United States, Iowa is pretty safe. It ranks #32 in the nation for violent crime and #43 for property crime.

Is Iowa the best state to live in?

Iowa is one of the top 15 best states in America, according to U.S. News & World Report's seventh edition of Best States rankings. The great state ranks 14th overall in 2025, which is a significant slide back from sixth place in 2024.

What is the toughest high school to get into?

The hardest high school to get into is often cited as Stuyvesant High School in NYC, a public magnet with ~3% acceptance via a tough test (SHSAT). Other highly competitive schools include other NYC specialized schools (Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech), elite charter networks like BASIS (AZ, TX) and IDEA (TX), and top magnet schools like Stanton College Prep (FL), known for rigorous academics and low acceptance rates, often under 15%. 

What is the largest public school in Iowa?

With more than 2,400 students, it's easy to get lost in the crowd.

Does Iowa have a good education system?

Iowa ranks 30th in fourth-grade math and 23rd in eighth-grade math while holding a strong 10th-place ranking in eighth-grade reading. Iowa's fourth-grade average math score declined by 1.25% from 2022 to 2024. The state's low math rankings have prompted officials to advocate for evidence-based instruction.

What are the top 10 high schools in Iowa?

What are the top 10 schools in Iowa?

• Iowa City West Senior High School.
• Gilbert High School.
• Decorah High School.
• Pleasant Valley High School.
• Van Meter Jr-Sr High School.
• Adel Desoto Minburn High School.
• Pella High School.
• Liberty High School.

What is the #1 top public school?

There isn't one single "#1" public school, as rankings vary, but University of California (UC) Berkeley and UCLA consistently rank at the very top, often trading the #1 spot depending on the publication (U.S. News, Wall Street Journal), with UC Berkeley often leading in recent years. Other highly-ranked public universities include the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the University of Virginia. 

What is Iowa known for?

Iowa is known for its powerful agriculture (corn, pork, soybeans), its role as the first state in the U.S. presidential primary (Iowa Caucuses), leading wind energy production, its charming small-town feel, and being the birthplace of famous figures and inventions like the Red Delicious apple. It's also famous for the iconic Iowa State Fair, its rich Midwestern culture, and the "day the music died" plane crash near Clear Lake.
 

Which billionaire lives in Iowa?

Who is the richest person in Iowa in 2025? Harry Stine is the richest person in Iowa and the state's only billionaire, according to Forbes.

What is the nicest town in Iowa?

Buying or selling a home?

• Ankeny, IA. #1 in Best Places to Live in Iowa. ...
• West Des Moines, IA. #2 in Best Places to Live in Iowa. ...
• Cedar Rapids, IA. #3 in Best Places to Live in Iowa. ...
• Sioux City, IA. #4 in Best Places to Live in Iowa. ...
• Council Bluffs, IA. #5 in Best Places to Live in Iowa. ...
• Dubuque, IA. ...
• Iowa City, IA. ...
• Ames, IA.

Is $100,000 a good salary in Iowa?

Yes, $100,000 is generally a very good salary in Iowa, placing you well above the state's median household income (around $73K-$78K) and comfortably in a middle to upper-middle-class bracket, allowing for a solid lifestyle, especially outside of major metro areas like Des Moines, though cost of living varies. 

What is the #1 least educated state?

According to multiple recent studies, West Virginia is consistently ranked as the #1 least educated state in the U.S., often followed by other Southern states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, due to low percentages of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher and challenges with high school completion and educational quality.
 

What state is rated 50 in education?

Oklahoma is frequently rated as the 50th state for education in recent studies, particularly in reports from WalletHub analyzing factors like test scores, dropout rates, and school safety, placing it last overall among states and Washington D.C. in quality metrics, though some sources also rank it just ahead of New Mexico or Alabama depending on the specific criteria used. 

What is the best state to live in ranked?

10 Best US States to Live In, According to a New Study

1. Massachusetts. According to WalletHub's study, Massachusetts is the best state to live in, excelling in all key factors—and earning the top spot in the ranking.
2. Idaho. ...
3. New Jersey. ...
4. Wisconsin. ...
5. Minnesota. ...
6. Florida. ...
7. New Hampshire. ...
8. Utah. ...