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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Iowa

19 Ranked Colleges
5,869 Degrees Awarded
$9,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Iowa, there were 5,869 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. DMACC is a public institution located in Ankeny, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,180 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Des Moines Area Community College is $8,543 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at DMACC

#2

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southeastern Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in West Burlington, Iowa, and it awarded 216 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeastern Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $6,527 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southeastern Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southeastern Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Iowa Area Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Mason City, Iowa, this small public school awarded 405 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Iowa Area Community College is $7,397 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at North Iowa Area Community College

#4

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Marshalltown Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Marshalltown Community College is a small public school situated in Marshalltown, Iowa. It awarded 146 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Marshalltown Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $5,012 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Marshalltown Community College

#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northeast Iowa Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. Northeast Iowa Community College is a small school located in Calmar, Iowa that handed out 128 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, NICC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $9,153 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeast Iowa Community College.

Full NICC Liberal Arts Report

#6

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kirkwood Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 730 students in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $8,831 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kirkwood Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Kirkwood Community College

Iowa State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $10,843 for iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Iowa State University

Iowa Central Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa Central Community College is a small school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa that handed out 435 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Central Community College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $8,734 for iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Iowa Central Community College Liberal Arts Report

Indian Hills Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Ottumwa, Iowa, this small public school handed out 349 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

IHCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Indian Hills Community College is $5,646 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full IHCC Liberal Arts Report

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 158 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western Iowa Tech Community College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $5,287 for iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#11

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 439 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Iowa Western Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Western Community College is $10,002 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Iowa Western Community College

Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Northwest Iowa Community College also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $8,623 for iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwest Iowa Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Northwest Iowa Community College

Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 504 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $9,578 for iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Iowa Community Colleges.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Eastern Iowa Community College District

#14

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa

Hawkeye Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hawkeye Community College is a public institution located in Waterloo, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 297 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hawkeye Community College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hawkeye Community College is $9,083 for iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Hawkeye Community College

#15

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #15, Ellsworth Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ellsworth is a small school located in Iowa Falls, Iowa that handed out 89 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Ellsworth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Ellsworth Community College is $9,192 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Ellsworth

#16

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 190 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,073 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Iowa

With a ranking of #17, Southwestern Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southwestern Community College is located in Creston, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 120 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, SWCC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SWCC is $7,649 for iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Southwestern Community College

#18

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 76 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $12,495 for iowa liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of Northern Iowa

#19

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand View University is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 22 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand View University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grand View University is $19,245 for Iowa Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Grand View University Liberal Arts Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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