Established in 1847 in Iowa City, the University of Iowa was the first public U.S. university to accept both men and women equally. Also, although known mostly for the research in agriculture, Iowa was the first U.S. university to offer advanced degrees in creative areas like theater, writing, music, and art. The university includes 11 colleges including the first law school west of the Mississippi River.
The University of Iowa competes in the Big 10 Conference, as the Hawkeyes, with over 650 athletes. Two of the most well known things about Iowa athletics are its national-power wrestling team and visiting locker-room at the football stadium that long time head coach Hayden Fry had painted pink for opposing teams.
University of Iowa
107 Calvin Hall
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
319-335-3500
uiowa.edu
Set in small Ames, Iowa, Iowa State University's enrollment is more than half of the overall city population. Originally built in 1858 as Iowa State Agriculture College and Model Farm, the university has grown to an enrollment of 28,000 students, offering over 100 majors, in over 100 buildings. Nationally recognized for its academic excellence and quality learning environment, U.S. News & World Report named Iowa State in its top 50 public universities list for incoming freshman because of the "learning communities" program.
Iowa State has also been a national leader in science and technology research. It was the birthplace of the first electronic digital computer, built professor John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry in 1942, and ranked second among universities in total number of research and development awards presented by R&D magazine.
Competing in the Big 12 Conference as the Cyclones, Iowa State University may best be known for the undefeated career by wrestler Cael Sanderson. With his fourth National Championship in 2002, Sanderson finished with a career record of 159-0.
Iowa State University
2229 Lincoln Way
Ames, Iowa 50011
515-294-4111
iastate.edu
Ranked as one of the best Midwest universities by The Princeton Review, the University of Northern Iowa was built in 1869 in Cedar Falls. No stranger to accolades, UNI has been heaped with praise and recognition from being listed second for the thirteenth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report for Best Midwest Master's programs in 2010 and second best Midwest Comprehensive universities, to being named to the President's Higher Education Service Honor Roll in 2008.
A much smaller school than the other more recognizable Division-I universities in Iowa with an enrollment of 12,500, the University of Northern Iowa competes in The Missouri Valley Conference for all sports but is a Division-IAA school for football.
University of Northern Iowa
1227 West 27th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50614
319-273-2311
uni.edu