by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2021-2022, 538,925 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In , liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $28,316 and had an average of $15,943 in loans still to pay off.
Across Iowa, there were 5,228 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,682 and $14,139 respectively.
This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa” ranking looked at 39 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies. That schools that top this list have a program in liberal arts general studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.
Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa liberal arts students.
Out of the 39 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Ellsworth Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Iowa Falls, Iowa, this small public school awarded 71 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2021-2022.
Full Ellsworth Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa Lakes Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa. Iowa Lakes Community College is located in Estherville, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 145 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Iowa Lakes Community College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 443 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%.
Full Eastern Iowa Community College District Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa Central Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 412 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2021-2022.
Full Iowa Central Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Iowa Area Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. This small school is located in Mason City, Iowa, and it awarded 302 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2021-2022.
Full North Iowa Area Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Iowa Western Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 391 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.
Full Iowa Western Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Kirkwood Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 733 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Kirkwood Community College
Southeastern Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #8. Southeastern Community College is located in West Burlington, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 217 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad 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 full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southeastern Community College
Marshalltown Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, and it awarded 152 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Marshalltown Community College
Southwestern Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Creston, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 114 students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad 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 General Studies at Southwestern Community College
With a ranking of #11, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. DMACC is a public institution located in Ankeny, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,002 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Indian Hills Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Ottumwa, Iowa, this small public school awarded 236 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, this small public school handed out 254 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%.
Full Hawkeye Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Northeast Iowa Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Calmar, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 114 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
With a ranking of #15, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 48 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Northwest Iowa Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #16, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 96 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Western Iowa Tech Community College
Emmaus Bible College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 3 students in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Emmaus Bible College
Simpson College ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Indianola, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 20 students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Simpson College
Upper Iowa University ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Located in Fayette, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 39 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Upper Iowa University
Maharishi International University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. MIU is a small school located in Fairfield, Iowa that handed out 29 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2021-2022.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Maharishi International University
With a ranking of #21, Grand View University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. 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 21 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Grand View University
University of Iowa came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 191 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
University of Northern Iowa ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Northern Iowa
Graceland University - Lamoni landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. This small school is located in Lamoni, Iowa, and it awarded 8 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Graceland Lamoni
Iowa Wesleyan University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Mount Pleasant, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 4 students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Iowa Wesleyan University
Read more about our data sources and methodologies