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2025 Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa

15 Colleges in Iowa
4,194 Associate Degrees
Liberal Arts is of the hottest associate degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #1 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 15 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 4,194 associate degrees in liberal arts to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts School for Your Associate Degree

Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa The liberal studies associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal studies program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for liberal arts students working on their associate degree.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Liberal Arts in Iowa

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts.

10 Top Iowa Schools for an Associate in Liberal Studies

1
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
819 Annual Graduates

Des Moines Area Community College is a good decision for individuals interested in an associate degree in liberal arts. DMACC is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Ankeny.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Des Moines Area Community College

2
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
445 Annual Graduates

Iowa Central Community College is a wonderful option for individuals pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Iowa Central Community College

3
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
257 Annual Graduates

Iowa Western Community College is a great choice for individuals interested in an associate degree in liberal arts. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the suburb of Council Bluffs.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Iowa Western Community College

4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
226 Annual Graduates

Hawkeye Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Hawkeye Community College

5
Southeastern Community College crest
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, IA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
248 Annual Graduates

Southeastern Community College is a small public college located in the remote town of West Burlington.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Southeastern Community College

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
140 Annual Graduates

Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Marshalltown Community College

7
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
660 Annual Graduates

Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public college located in the city of Cedar Rapids.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Kirkwood Community College

8
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
291 Annual Graduates

Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from North Iowa Area Community College

9
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
205 Annual Graduates

Located in the town of Ottumwa, IHCC is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Indian Hills Community College

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
112 Annual Graduates

SWCC is a small public college located in the town of Creston.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Southwestern Community College

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the Plains States Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Minnesota 299 6,114
Kansas 275 5,399
Missouri 210 5,172
Nebraska 163 932
South Dakota 148 0
North Dakota 144 764

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One of 3 majors within the Liberal Arts General Studies area of study, Liberal Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Liberal Studies

Related Major Annual Graduates
General Studies 228
Individualized Studies 13

Notes and References

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