Top Public and Private K-12 Schools in Davenport IA
Davenport Community School District operates the largest public school system in the Quad Cities, serving over 14,000 students across 23 campuses with a four-year graduation rate near 84 percent according to recent state data. The district runs magnet programs in STEM, arts, and world languages at several elementary and secondary schools, and its test scores in math and reading hover near the state average for districts of similar size. Forbes has highlighted Davenport as a mid-cost metro where families can access above-average educational options relative to local housing prices.
Private and parochial options include Assumption High School, a Catholic college-prep school with average class sizes under 20 and a four-year graduation rate above 95 percent, and several Christian and nonsectarian academies that serve a combined few hundred students. These schools typically charge annual tuition between 8,000 and 14,000 dollars, offer Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses, and report higher average ACT scores than the public district. Forbes Education lists several of these institutions among the best private high schools in the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities region based on college readiness and safety metrics.
Higher Education and Vocational Programs Near Davenport IA
Palmer College of Chiropractic, founded in 1897 and located in downtown Davenport, is the largest chiropractic institution in the United States and awards over 500 doctorates annually with a first-time board pass rate above 90 percent. Scott Community College, part of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges system, enrolls more than 5,000 students in associate degrees, certificates, and workforce programs, with job placement rates above 80 percent in high-demand fields like healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
University of Iowa and Iowa State University offer satellite campuses and online programs accessible from Davenport, while Western Illinois University-Quad Cities provides bachelor's and master's degrees with a focus on business, education, and engineering technology. Forbes ranks several of these institutions among the best values in the Midwest when factoring in tuition, graduation rates, and early-career earnings reported by graduates.
Costs, Rankings, and Outcomes for Education in Davenport IA
Average in-state tuition and fees at Iowa public four-year universities total roughly 10,000 dollars per year, while private colleges in the region charge between 25,000 and 40,000 dollars annually, with many offering institutional aid that reduces net cost. The Iowa Board of Regents and the SEC EDGAR database publish financial disclosures for state-related institutions, allowing families to compare endowment sizes, tuition revenue, and spending per student.
Recent state report cards show Davenport high schools posting average ACT scores near 21 and graduation rates tracking close to the state median, while Palmer College and Scott Community College report strong licensure exam pass rates and employer partnership placements. Forbes Advisor aggregates these metrics alongside cost-of-living data to help families evaluate whether the education options in Davenport IA align with their budget and career goals.