2023 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges for Veterans in Iowa
18
Ranked Colleges
5,969
Degrees Awarded
$28,300
Avg Cost*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for veterans. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.
Across Iowa, there were 5,969 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,629 and $16,466 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered 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 offer a lot of support to veterans and active service members.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities” list to help you make the college decision.
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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa vets studying liberal arts / sciences & humanities.
Top 18 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges for Veterans in Iowa
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #1 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 221 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 30,318 students enrolled at Iowa, 1 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 88%.
Full University of Iowa Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 9,507 students enrolled at University of Northern Iowa, 251 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 99 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,033. On top of their other funding sources, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read More…
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our iowa vets studying liberal arts / sciences & humanities list, Iowa State has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 31,822 students enrolled at Iowa State, 814 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 388 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,933. On top of their other funding sources, 9 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Iowa State offers credit for military training for eligible students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Iowa State Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa Western Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Council Bluffs, 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 493 students in 2020-2021.
Iowa Western Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Iowa Western Community College supports 5,791 students, and 1 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 1 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $583. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Iowa Western Community College]](/colleges/iowa-western-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. This large school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 1,170 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.
DMACC also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 23,051 students enrolled at DMACC, 500 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 221 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,709. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full DMACC Veteran Student Life Report
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities ranking. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 124 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.
Western Iowa Tech Community College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 5,360 students enrolled at Western Iowa Tech Community College, 117 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 51 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,455. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Western Iowa Tech Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Western Iowa Tech Community College]](/colleges/western-iowa-tech-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #7, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school situated in Sheldon, Iowa. It awarded 63 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwest Iowa Community College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 1,666 students enrolled at Northwest Iowa Community College, 36 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 23 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,961. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Northwest Iowa Community College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Northwest Iowa Community College]](/colleges/northwest-iowa-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Iowa Central Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. This medium-sized school is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and it awarded 426 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa Central Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 4,704 students enrolled at Iowa Central Community College, 100 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 46 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,481. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Iowa Central Community College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Iowa Central Community College]](/colleges/iowa-central-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Marshalltown Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. Marshalltown Community College is a small public school situated in Marshalltown, Iowa. It awarded 144 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.
Marshalltown Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 30 of the 1,836 students enrolled at Marshalltown Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 10 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,511. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Marshalltown Community College]](/colleges/marshalltown-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Kirkwood Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities ranking, coming in at #10. Kirkwood Community College is a public institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 822 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kirkwood Community College, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Kirkwood Community College supports 12,277 students, and 264 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 108 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,554. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Kirkwood Community College]](/colleges/kirkwood-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
With a ranking of #11, Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a medium-sized public school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 536 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Eastern Iowa Community College District supports 7,081 students, and 19 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 9 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,290. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eastern Iowa Community College District offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
With a ranking of #12, Indian Hills Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. Indian Hills Community College is a public institution located in Ottumwa, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 234 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IHCC also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 3,279 students enrolled at IHCC, 106 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 45 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,629. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
Hawkeye Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 278 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hawkeye Community College, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Hawkeye Community College supports 5,042 students, and 150 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 68 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,269. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Hawkeye Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Hawkeye Community College]](/colleges/hawkeye-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities ranking. North Iowa Area Community College is located in Mason City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 373 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
North Iowa Area Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 51 of the 2,681 students enrolled at North Iowa Area Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 28 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,828. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full North Iowa Area Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Iowa Lakes Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities ranking, coming in at #15. Estherville, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 146 students in 2020-2021.
Iowa Lakes Community College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 12 of the 2,288 students enrolled at Iowa Lakes Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 5 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,004. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
Ellsworth Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities ranking. Ellsworth is a small school located in Iowa Falls, Iowa that handed out 78 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.
Ellsworth also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Ellsworth Community College supports 731 students, and 15 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 6 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,410. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Ellsworth Community College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Ellsworth Community College]](/colleges/ellsworth-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Southwestern Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. SWCC is a small public school situated in Creston, Iowa. It awarded 137 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.
SWCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, SWCC supports 1,503 students, and 19 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 3 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,360. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full Southwestern Community College Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #18, Southeastern Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Iowa for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities list. West Burlington, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 248 students in 2020-2021.
Southeastern Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 2,260 students enrolled at Southeastern Community College, 1 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,695. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Southeastern Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Southeastern Community College]](/colleges/southeastern-community-college-west-burlington/student-life/veterans/)
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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).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- 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
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top schools only.
- **GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
- 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.
Credits
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