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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

21 Ranked Colleges
6,129 Degrees Awarded
$9,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Iowa, there were 6,129 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,768 and $15,875 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

#1

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southeastern Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. West Burlington, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 216 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southeastern Community College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $4,925 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southeastern Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, this large public school awarded 1,299 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $7,776 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Des Moines Area Community College

#3

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Kirkwood Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this fairly large public school handed out 730 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Kirkwood Community College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kirkwood Community College is $8,067 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Kirkwood 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 Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marshalltown Community College is located in Marshalltown, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 152 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Marshalltown Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Marshalltown Community College is $5,073 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Marshalltown Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 80 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $10,054 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa State.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 General Studies at Iowa State University

North Iowa Area Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Mason City, Iowa, and it awarded 405 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $6,551 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Iowa Area Community College.

Full North Iowa Area Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Indian Hills Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Ottumwa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 349 students in 2019-2020.

IHCC also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IHCC is $5,644 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at IHCC

#17 in overall quality

Northeast Iowa Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Calmar, Iowa, and it awarded 139 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

NICC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for NICC is $7,987 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at NICC

Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Sheldon, Iowa, this small public school handed out 67 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Northwest Iowa Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $9,985 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest Iowa Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Northwest Iowa Community College

Iowa Central Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This small school is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and it awarded 454 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Central Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $7,979 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Iowa Central Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Davenport, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 504 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District is $8,406 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Eastern Iowa Community Colleges Liberal Arts General Studies Report

With a ranking of #12, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 165 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $5,665 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#13

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa Western Community College is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 490 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Western Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Western Community College is $9,341 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Iowa Western Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#14

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 76 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNI has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,757 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Northern Iowa

#15

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 199 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $12,975 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Iowa

#16

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa

Ellsworth Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ellsworth is a small school located in Iowa Falls, Iowa that handed out 89 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ellsworth, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $8,576 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ellsworth.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Ellsworth

#17

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa

Hawkeye Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hawkeye Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Waterloo, Iowa. It awarded 297 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Hawkeye Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Hawkeye Community College is $9,084 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Hawkeye Community College

Southwestern Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. SWCC is a public institution located in Creston, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 120 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SWCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for SWCC is $6,914 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southwestern Community College

#19

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grand View University, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand View University is $18,481 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Grand View University

#20

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, Iowa

William Penn University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. William Penn University is a small school located in Oskaloosa, Iowa that handed out 1 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William Penn University, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for William Penn University is $18,845 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at William Penn University

Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Graceland University - Lamoni is located in Lamoni, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Graceland Lamoni, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Graceland University - Lamoni is $15,015 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Graceland University - Lamoni

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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