The Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (IAICU) was formed in 1846, just seven years after the very first independent college in Iowa history and the same year that Iowa achieved statehood in the United States. It was founded with the belief that a student could get just as good an education at a private institution of higher learning as at a public or state-run school. In fact, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities found that only 49 percent of state-funded students finished their degree in the traditional four years. That number increases to 79 percent if the student attends a private college or university.
The Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities aims to educate not just the students at the 29 member schools but also to educate the public about the benefits of attending a private college or university. The organization also aims to help the communities where the campuses they are located. Part of this is through community service of students but also through economic impact. More than 10,000 Iowans are employed as a result of these institutions, with an annual economic impact of more than $1.8 billion.
The collective enrollment of all the member colleges and universities is more than 48,000. This includes full- and part-time students. Not all of these students are from Iowa. In fact, there are students not just from other parts of the United States but also from around the world. The 29 campuses make up 25 percent of the total higher-education enrollment in all of Iowa. These colleges also account for 46 percent of all bachelor's degrees and 34 percent of all graduate-level degrees that are awarded across the state of Iowa in a given school year.
The 29 member colleges of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities are:
AIB College of Business, Allen College, Briar Cliff University, Buena Vista University, Central College, Clarke University, Coe College, Cornell College, Des Moines University, Dordt College, Drake University, Graceland University, Grand View University, Grinnell College, Iowa Wesleyan College, Loras College, Luther College, Maharishi University of Management, Mercy College of Health Sciences, Morningside College, Mount Mercy University, Northwestern College, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Simpson College, St. Ambrose University, St. Luke's College, University of Dubuque, Wartburg College and William Penn University.