2023 Best Value Schools in Iowa
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Schools in Iowa ranking. This report analyzed 36 schools in Iowa to see which ones offered the best value programs for students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Eastern Iowa Community College District the best value school in Iowa for students working on their degree. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a medium-sized public school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 1,261 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges are $5,904 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,463 in student loans.After graduating from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,028 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Iowa list. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,727 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DMACC are $10,440 per year. On average, students take out $16,577 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $64 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from DMACC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,576 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Northwest Iowa Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Sheldon, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 387 students in 2020-2021.
Northwest Iowa Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,751 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Northwest Iowa Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,199 during the early year of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Indian Hills Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Ottumwa, Iowa, the small public school awarded 755 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IHCC are $6,000 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,709 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, IHCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,385 during the early year of their career.
The excellent programs at Western Iowa Tech Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Iowa. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,636 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Iowa Tech Community College are $4,826 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,142 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates make an average of $31,155 annually.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Iowa list. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 2,300 degrees in 2020-2021.
Kirkwood Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,072 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $19,882 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Kirkwood Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,090 during the early year of their career.
Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #7 on the list. NICC is a public institution located in Calmar, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 661 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NICC are $6,840 a year. On average, students take out $15,283 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, NICC graduates make an average of $36,089 annually.
Hawkeye Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 948 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Hawkeye Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,524 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $19,679 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Hawkeye Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,877 during the early years of their career.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Iowa ranking. Iowa Central Community College is a public institution located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,064 degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,650 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $19,575 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $62, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa Central Community College graduates make an average of $39,705 annually.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Iowa list. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,256 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Iowa Western Community College are $6,480 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,104 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $97. During the early years of their career, Iowa Western Community College graduates make an average of $39,271 annually.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. This small public school is located in Mason City, Iowa, and it awarded 948 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Iowa Area Community College are $8,547 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,157 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Iowa Area Community College graduates make an average of $37,111 annually.
University of Northern Iowa landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,013 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNI are $19,753 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,939 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $172 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,810 during the early years of their career.
UNI did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Schools in Iowa list.
Iowa State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Iowa ranking. This large public school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 8,681 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Iowa State are $25,446 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $257 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Iowa State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,142 during the early year of their career.
Iowa State did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Schools in Iowa list.
Morningside College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Iowa list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 614 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Morningside are $35,270 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,099 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208.After graduating from Morningside, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,189 during the early years of their career.
University of Iowa landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school awarded 9,628 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Iowa are $31,905 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,563 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $379 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa graduates make an average of $50,430 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Iowa also is in the top 20% of our Best Schools in Iowa ranking.
Northwestern College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Northwestern College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Orange City, Iowa that handed out 388 degrees in 2020-2021.
NWC undergraduate students pay an average of $33,590 in tuition and fees each year. Once they receive their degree, NWC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,021 during the early year of their career.
NWC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Schools in Iowa list.
Waldorf University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Iowa list. Located in Forest City, Iowa, the small private for-profit school awarded 959 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Waldorf undergraduate students pay an average of $23,666 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $26,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Waldorf graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,483 during the early year of their career.
Drake University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Iowa list. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,503 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Drake undergraduate students pay an average of $45,912 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,572 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $432 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Drake, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,927 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Drake is ranked #3 for overall quality in Iowa.
Graceland University - Lamoni landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Graceland Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lamoni, Iowa. It awarded 518 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Graceland Lamoni are $31,920 per year. On average, students take out $27,121 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $180, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Graceland Lamoni graduates make an average of $54,336 annually.
Buena Vista University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. BVU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Storm Lake, Iowa. It awarded 567 degrees in 2020-2021.
BVU undergraduate students pay an average of $37,518 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $31,426 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BVU graduates make an average of $38,214 annually.
Briar Cliff University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Briar Cliff is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 281 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Briar Cliff are $33,998 a year. On average, students take out $23,123 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Briar Cliff graduates make an average of $46,310 annually.
Dordt University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 456 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Dordt are $33,590 a year. After graduating from Dordt, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,809 during the early years of their career.
University of Dubuque did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. University of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 574 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UD are $36,010 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,068 in student loans.After graduating from UD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,274 during the early years of their career.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Iowa list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 909 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St. Ambrose University are $33,570 a year. On average, students take out $27,244 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $401. Once they receive their degree, St. Ambrose University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,094 during the early year of their career.
Loras College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Iowa ranking. Loras is located in Dubuque, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 393 degrees to qualified students.
Loras undergraduate students pay an average of $35,268 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,552 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Loras graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,708 during the early year of their career.
Best Value Schools in the Plains States Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
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%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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