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Best Football colleges in Iowa

Explore colleges in Iowa recruiting Football athletes, most popular programs first. Open any school to see its division, costs and coaches, or let our football recruiting platform email every coach for you.

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367 coaches recruiting Football in Iowa
Overview

Football colleges in Iowa

How the programs break down by division, conference, cost and size. Updated October 2026.

Programs
30
Coaches recruiting
367
  • 4Division I
  • 1Division II
  • 10Division III
  • 11NAIA
  • 4Junior college

Iowa has 30 colleges with Football programs. Of those, 4 compete in NCAA Division I, 1 in NCAA Division II, 10 in NCAA Division III, 11 in the NAIA and 4 at the junior college level. The most popular programs are University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa. Their head coaches are Kirk Ferentz at University of Iowa, Jimmy Rogers at Iowa State University and Todd Stepsis at University of Northern Iowa. 8 schools compete in the American Rivers Conference, the most common conference.

Lowest net priceSouthwestern Community College · $9,410Average yearly cost after aidMost selectiveGrinnell College · 15%Acceptance rateLargest campusUniversity of Iowa · 30,779Undergraduate students
All programs

Every Football program in Iowa

Open any school to see its coaches, costs and admissions.

Division I · 4

University of Iowa logoUniversity of IowaIowa City · Big Ten · Coach Kirk FerentzIowa State University logoIowa State UniversityAmes · Big Twelve · Coach Jimmy RogersUniversity of Northern Iowa logoUniversity of Northern IowaCedar Falls · Missouri Valley · Coach Todd StepsisDrake University logoDrake UniversityDes Moines · Pioneer Football League · Coach Matt Walker

Division II · 1

Upper Iowa University logoUpper Iowa UniversityFayette · Great Lakes Valley · Coach Jason Hoskins

Division III · 10

Cornell College logoCornell CollegeMount Vernon · Midwest · Coach Curt RitchieBuena Vista University logoBuena Vista UniversityStorm Lake · American Rivers · Coach Austin DickinsonCentral College logoCentral CollegePella · American Rivers · Coach Jeff McMartinSimpson College logoSimpson CollegeIndianola · American Rivers · Coach Reed Hoskins

NAIA · 11

Grand View University logoGrand View UniversityDes Moines · Heart of America Athletic · Coach E.J. PetersonDordt University logoDordt UniversitySioux Center · Great Plains Athletic · Coach Joel PennerGraceland University, Lamoni logoGraceland University, LamoniLamoni · Coach Phil StabackClarke University logoClarke UniversityDubuque · Heart of America Athletic · Coach Heath Zuck

Junior college · 4

Iowa Western Community College logoIowa Western Community CollegeCouncil Bluffs · Region 11 · Coach Scott StrohmeierIowa Central Community College logoIowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge · Region 11 · Coach Colby KratchEllsworth Community College logoEllsworth Community CollegeIowa Falls · Region 11 · Coach Matt WhiteSouthwestern Community College logoSouthwestern Community CollegeCreston · Region 11 · Coach Scott Strohmeier
Questions

Questions about Football colleges in Iowa

Quick answers about the programs and how to reach their coaches.

How many colleges in Iowa have Football?

30 colleges in Iowa have Football programs: 4 Division I, 1 Division II, 10 Division III, 11 NAIA and 4 Junior college.

Which colleges in Iowa have D1 Football?

4 colleges in Iowa compete in NCAA Division I Football: Drake University, Iowa State University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa.

Which colleges in Iowa have D2 Football?

1 college in Iowa competes in NCAA Division II Football: Upper Iowa University.

Which colleges in Iowa have D3 Football?

10 colleges in Iowa compete in NCAA Division III Football: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, Loras College, Luther College, Simpson College and 2 more.

Which colleges in Iowa have NAIA Football?

11 colleges in Iowa compete in NAIA Football: Briar Cliff University, Clarke University, Dordt University, Graceland Universit, Graceland University, Lamoni, Grand View University, Mount Mercy University, Northwestern College and 3 more.

Which colleges in Iowa have JUCO Football?

4 colleges in Iowa compete in NJCAA junior college Football: Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Central Community College, Iowa Western Community College and Southwestern Community College.

What is the most affordable college in Iowa with Football?

Southwestern Community College has the lowest average net price at $9,410 a year after grants and scholarships.

What conference do most Football programs in Iowa compete in?

The American Rivers Conference has the most Football programs in Iowa.

Who are the Football head coaches in Iowa?

Kirk Ferentz (University of Iowa), Jimmy Rogers (Iowa State University), Todd Stepsis (University of Northern Iowa), Matt Walker (Drake University), Jason Hoskins (Upper Iowa University), Curt Ritchie (Cornell College), E.J. Peterson (Grand View University) and Austin Dickinson (Buena Vista University).

How do I contact Football coaches in Iowa?

There are 367 coaches recruiting Football in Iowa. Start a free 7-day AthleticScholar trial to see who recruits your position and send personal messages from your own Gmail, with follow-ups until they reply.

By division

Football colleges by division in Iowa

The most popular programs at each level, with links to the full lists.

D1 Football colleges in Iowa

4 schools in Iowa compete in NCAA Division I.

D2 Football colleges in Iowa

1 school in Iowa competes in NCAA Division II.

D3 Football colleges in Iowa

10 schools in Iowa compete in NCAA Division III.

NAIA Football colleges in Iowa

11 schools in Iowa compete in NAIA.

JUCO Football colleges in Iowa

4 schools in Iowa compete in NJCAA junior college.