2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa
When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in Iowa ranking is part of that endeavor.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of School Matters
Our analysis looked at 16 schools in Iowa to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with an associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their associate degree.
When attending a school in Iowa, associate degree students accumulate an average of $9,568 in student debt before graduation.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your associate degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Associate Degree Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
2,010
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,641
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,444
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found Des Moines Area Community College to be the best school for associate degrees in Iowa in this year’s ranking. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school handed out 2,010 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from DMACC make an average of $40,641 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $10,444.
Full Des Moines Area Community College Report
812
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,994
Average Early-Career Earnings
$6,100
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa Central Community College. The school came in at #2 in Iowa on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Iowa Central Community College is a small public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 812 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Iowa Central Community College make an average of $41,994 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $6,100.
Read full report on Iowa Central Community College
116
Associate Degrees Awarded
$75,064
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Waldorf University. The school came in at #3 in Iowa on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Forest City, Iowa, the small private for-profit school awarded 116 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Waldorf go into careers with an average salary of $75,064 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Waldorf University
388
Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,496
Average Early-Career Earnings
Out of the 16 associate degree schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Southeastern Community College is a small public school situated in West Burlington, Iowa. It awarded 388 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Southeastern Community College is $42,496 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Southeastern Community College
1,628
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,588
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,367
Average Student Debt
Out of the 16 associate degree schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Kirkwood Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Kirkwood Community College is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,628 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a associate degree from Kirkwood Community College make an average of $40,588 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $10,367 in student loans.
Learn More About Kirkwood Community College
797
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,702
Average Early-Career Earnings
$7,928
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #6, Iowa Western Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 797 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Iowa Western Community College make an average of $43,702 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $7,928 after getting their degree.
Full Iowa Western Community College Report
206
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,839
Average Early-Career Earnings
Marshalltown Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Marshalltown, Iowa, the small public school handed out 206 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Marshalltown Community College go into careers with an average salary of $35,839 during the early years of their career.
Full Marshalltown Community College Report
596
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,314
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,408
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #8, Hawkeye Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Hawkeye Community College is a small public school situated in Waterloo, Iowa. It awarded 596 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Hawkeye Community College make an average of $41,314 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,408 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Hawkeye Community College
823
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,622
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,256
Average Student Debt
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 823 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges make an average of $37,622 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $10,256 after getting their degree.
Full Eastern Iowa Community College District Report
211
Associate Degrees Awarded
$48,470
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #10, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution located in Sheldon, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 211 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Northwest Iowa Community College make an average of $48,470 a year.
Full Northwest Iowa Community College Report
511
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,800
Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,239
Average Student Debt
North Iowa Area Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking, coming in at #11. North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution located in Mason City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 511 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from North Iowa Area Community College make an average of $35,800 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $8,239.
Full North Iowa Area Community College Report
528
Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,293
Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,491
Average Student Debt
Indian Hills Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking, coming in at #12. IHCC is located in Ottumwa, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 528 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,293 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $8,491 in student loans.
Read full report on Indian Hills Community College
479
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,293
Average Early-Career Earnings
$6,425
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #13, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in Sioux City, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 479 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College go into careers with an average salary of $43,293 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $6,425 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Western Iowa Tech Community College
228
Associate Degrees Awarded
$44,875
Average Early-Career Earnings
Southwestern Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. This small public school is located in Creston, Iowa, and it awarded 228 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from SWCC go into careers with an average salary of $44,875 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Southwestern Community College
368
Associate Degrees Awarded
Northeast Iowa Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. NICC is located in Calmar, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 368 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Full Northeast Iowa Community College Report
