2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technologies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering technologies schools in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $15,983. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $57,716. Set against $15,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Eastern Iowa Community College District, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $17,001. Engineering Technologies graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $44,886. Set against $12,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #7 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $23,213 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $70,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #8 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University placed #9 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,236 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $62,416. Set against $25,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College landed the #10 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $23,973 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $65,645 early in their careers. Set against $23,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
