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

21 Ranked Colleges
6,129 Degrees Awarded
$10,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,768 and $15,875 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. 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 Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (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 Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. Ankeny, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,299 students in 2019-2020.

DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Des Moines Area Community College is $8,543 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southeastern Community College is a small public school situated in West Burlington, Iowa. It awarded 216 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Southeastern Community College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $6,527 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Southeastern Community College

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Iowa Area Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Mason City, Iowa, and it awarded 405 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend North Iowa Area Community College is $7,397 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at North Iowa Area Community College

#4

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Marshalltown Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, and it awarded 152 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Marshalltown Community College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $5,012 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Marshalltown Community College

#17 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 Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Calmar, Iowa, this small public school awarded 139 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NICC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeast Iowa Community College is $9,153 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northeast Iowa Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 730 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Kirkwood Community College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $8,831 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kirkwood Community College.

Full Kirkwood Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

Iowa State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa State 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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $10,843 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Iowa State

Iowa Central Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa Central Community College is a public institution located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 454 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Central Community College, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $8,734 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Iowa Central Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

Indian Hills Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ottumwa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 349 students in 2019-2020.

IHCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indian Hills Community College is $5,646 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full IHCC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

With a ranking of #10, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 165 students in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $5,287 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#11

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 490 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Western Community College also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Western Community College is $10,002 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Iowa Western Community College

With a ranking of #12, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest Iowa Community College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $8,623 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwest Iowa Community College.

Full Northwest Iowa Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 504 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $9,578 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District.

Full Eastern Iowa Community College District Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#14

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa

Hawkeye Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hawkeye Community College is located in Waterloo, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 297 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Hawkeye Community College also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hawkeye Community College is $9,083 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Hawkeye Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#15

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa

Ellsworth Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ellsworth Community College is a small school located in Iowa Falls, Iowa that handed out 89 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Ellsworth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ellsworth Community College is $9,192 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Ellsworth

#16

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 199 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,073 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

Southwestern Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. SWCC is a public institution located in Creston, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 120 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SWCC, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southwestern Community College is $7,649 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Southwestern Community College

#18

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #18, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 76 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $12,495 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at UNI

#19

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, Iowa

William Penn University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oskaloosa, Iowa. It awarded 1 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

William Penn University also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend William Penn University is $19,203 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full William Penn University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#20

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

With a ranking of #20, Grand View University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grand View University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Grand View University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $19,245 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand View University.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Grand View University

Graceland University - Lamoni ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Lamoni, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Graceland Lamoni did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $17,337 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Graceland University - Lamoni.

Full Graceland Lamoni Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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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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