2025 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa
19
Colleges in Iowa
4,966
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Ranked #2 in popularity,
liberal arts is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. 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 19 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 4,966 degrees in liberal arts to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Liberal Arts School
The liberal studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Liberal Arts rankings. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Liberal Arts Rankings by Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Iowa
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top Iowa Schools in Liberal Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
10th
Most Popular In IA
183
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
University of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. Iowa is a very large public university located in the small city of Iowa City. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.
There were roughly 183 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from University of Iowa
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
18th
Most Popular In IA
53
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
University of Northern Iowa is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. Located in the small city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #270 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNI is a great university overall.
There were roughly 53 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from University of Northern Iowa
Associates
Degree Type
AA in Liberal Arts
Program Name
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in AA in Liberal Arts from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In IA
906
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Des Moines Area Community College is a great decision for students interested in a degree in liberal arts. Located in the large suburb of Ankeny, DMACC is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #408 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means DMACC is a great college overall.
There were approximately 906 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at DMACC in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Des Moines Area Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
5th
Most Popular In IA
402
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
It is difficult to beat Iowa Central Community College if you wish to pursue a degree in liberal arts. Iowa Central Community College is a small public college located in the remote town of Fort Dodge. A Best Colleges rank of #498 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa Central Community College is a great college overall.
There were roughly 402 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Iowa Central Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In IA
314
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the large suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #884 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa Western Community College is a great college overall.
There were about 314 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Iowa Western Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
7th
Most Popular In IA
252
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Hawkeye Community College is a small public college located in the rural area of Waterloo. This college ranks 23rd out of 37 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.
There were approximately 252 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Hawkeye Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In IA
217
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the remote town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #795 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Southeastern Community College is a great college overall.
There were approximately 217 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Community College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Southeastern Community College
Bachelors
Degree Type
BA in General Studies
Program Name
Maximize your transfer credits and complete your bachelor's degree faster with this flexible online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in BA in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
13th
Most Popular In IA
151
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Marshalltown Community College is a small public college located in the town of Marshalltown. A Best Colleges rank of #1019 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Marshalltown Community College is a great college overall.
There were approximately 151 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Marshalltown Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Marshalltown Community College
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
16th
Most Popular In IA
70
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #88 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.
There were about 70 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Iowa State University
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In IA
733
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the midsize city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #837 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Kirkwood Community College is a great college overall.
There were about 733 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Kirkwood Community College
