2026 Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in Iowa
[Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong multi / interdisciplinary studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for multi / interdisciplinary studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the multi / interdisciplinary studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
Iowa State University earned the #1 spot for value among multi / interdisciplinary studies schools in Iowa. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $21,081. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,006 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,081 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,169 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $38,956. Set against $22,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in multi / interdisciplinary studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
