2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Iowa Central Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools in Iowa. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $16,135. Psychology graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Eastern Iowa Community College District, which ranked #2. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,673. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Iowa Western Community College, which ranked #5. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Iowa State University placed #6 among the best values for psychology. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,121. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,155. That is a strong return on a $23,121 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Grinnell College earned the #7 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,702. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $28,507. That is a strong return on a $17,702 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Buena Vista University earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $49,294. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Coe College placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Loras College came in at #10 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Loras College earn a median of $23,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
Clarke University came in at #11 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,500. Psychology graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $26,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $28,200. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $34,709. That is a strong return on a $28,200 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,198. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,193. Set against $27,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Simpson College came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $48,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Simpson College admits about 86% of applicants.
William Penn University landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Students borrow a median of $27,443 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $35,122. Set against $27,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
Central College came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,988. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Central College generally make around $29,923. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wartburg College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wartburg College admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $25,190 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $32,627. That is a strong return on a $25,190 median debt. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Morningside College earned the #19 position for value in psychology this year. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $39,519. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,281. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $54,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $38,594. Early-career psychology graduates make about $48,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dubuque ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. Students borrow a median of $27,204 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $53,808. Set against $27,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Mount Mercy University came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,882 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College came in at #24 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,545. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Luther College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,120. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
