2027 Best Value General History Schools in Iowa

[General History](/majors/history/history/general-history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general history schools.
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2027 Best Value General History Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General History Schools
Grinnell College tops our 2027 list of the best value general history schools in Iowa. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. General History graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $39,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Northern Iowa earned it the #2 place for general history. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $21,776 to complete the general history program here. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $27,569. Set against $21,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general history will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. General History graduates carry a median of $26,007 in student loans. General History graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $41,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,007 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Loras College earned it the #4 place for general history. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $26,528. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $43,117. That is a strong return on a $26,528 median debt. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general history schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $25,978. Early-career general history graduates make about $33,117. Set against $25,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College landed the #6 spot for general history value this year. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $27,000. Early-career general history graduates make about $35,545. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University earned the #7 position for value in general history this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $22,273. Early-career general history graduates make about $56,228. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
More General History Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 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.