UI builds on tradition as nation’s top public university for writing

The University of Iowa remains the nation's top public university for writing in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. Ranked No. 10 overall in writing in the disciplines, Iowa has been recognized as the best public university for six consecutive years.

Iowa also maintains top 10 rankings in undergraduate nursing (No. 4) and insurance (No. 8). Overall, the UI ranks No. 46 among public universities and No. 100 among all schools.

Iowa continues to build upon its strengths in writing to support communication excellence across campus. In 2025, the university established the Office of Writing and Communication to expand opportunities for students to develop these essential skills throughout their Iowa experience.

"Writing and communication have always been part of what makes an Iowa education valuable, and we're excited to build on that tradition," says President Barbara Wilson. "These are essential skills that will serve our students throughout their careers, helping them share ideas, solve problems, and make a meaningful impact in their communities and professions."

This fall, that commitment takes another step forward with the launch of the Writing Enriched Curriculum pilot program. Beginning in the departments of Anthropology and History, the initiative will help faculty examine the writing skills that are valuable for their fields and identify ways students can enhance those skills within their courses.

The Writing Enriched Curriculum program is designed to create a model that eventually could expand across the university, helping students develop skills they can use throughout their careers. It also will explore how writing instruction can prepare students to work effectively with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

"Iowa gives students access to nationally recognized programs in writing, health care, and business, along with the support they need to succeed," says Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost. "Expanding writing across disciplines advances our academic mission, encourages innovation in teaching, and creates new ways to prepare students for a rapidly changing world."

The U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings factor in numerous variables for the nation's public and private universities, including student outcomes, assessment by academic peers, faculty resources and scholarly work, and overall financial resources. Academic program rankings are based on surveys of university leaders and faculty across the nation.

Iowa's 2027 rankings include:

4. Undergraduate nursing programs

8. Insurance

10. Writing in the disciplines

33. Undergraduate business programs

35. Analytics

37. Undergraduate psychology programs

39. Management

43. Accounting

46. Top public schools

48. Best value schools for in-state students

65. Undergraduate computer science programs

66. Best colleges for Veterans

67. Undergraduate engineering programs, doctorate

78. Undergraduate economics programs

100. Overall rank

The full rankings and methodology can be found on the U.S. News website.