2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. This report analyzed 31 schools in Iowa to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Des Moines Area Community College the most popular school in Iowa for students working on their associate degree. Des Moines Area Community College is a large public school located in Ankeny, Iowa that handed out 2,029 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,614 in student loans. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DMACC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kirkwood Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fairly large public school handed out 1,654 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from Iowa who attend Kirkwood Community College full time pay an average of $5,308 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,072. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,972 in student loans. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Kirkwood Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at Eastern Iowa Community College District helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Iowa. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a medium-sized public school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 846 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges accumulate an average of $20,417 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Iowa Central Community College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 777 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Iowa Central Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,650. Associate Degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College accumulate an average of $21,832 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Iowa Central Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Iowa Western Community College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 765 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Iowa who attend Iowa Western Community College full time pay an average of $6,330 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,480. Associate Degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College accumulate an average of $21,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Iowa Western Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Waterloo, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 669 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $5,977 in tuition and fees if they attend Hawkeye Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,524. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,368 in student loans. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Hawkeye Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 41% took at least some of their classes online.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. North Iowa Area Community College is a small public school situated in Mason City, Iowa. It awarded 580 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $5,971 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Iowa Area Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,547. On average, associate degree students take out $15,157 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Since North Iowa Area Community College is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. IHCC is a small public school situated in Ottumwa, Iowa. It awarded 538 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,117 in student loans. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at IHCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 36% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #9, Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Calmar, Iowa, the small public school handed out 454 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,120 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NICC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,840. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since NICC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southeastern Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in West Burlington, Iowa, the small public school handed out 408 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from Iowa who attend Southeastern Community College full time pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,240. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,052 in student loans. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Southeastern Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 422 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Western Iowa Tech Community College is $4,802. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,826. On average, associate degree students take out $17,167 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Western Iowa Tech Community College. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #12, Iowa Lakes Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Iowa Lakes Community College is a small public school situated in Estherville, Iowa. It awarded 312 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,844 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Iowa Lakes Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,196. Associate Degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College accumulate an average of $19,864 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Online courses are available at Iowa Lakes Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwestern Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Located in Creston, Iowa, the small public school awarded 247 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SWCC is $6,060. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,270. Associate Degree recipients from SWCC accumulate an average of $13,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that SWCC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Marshalltown, Iowa, the small public school handed out 207 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $5,040 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Marshalltown Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,448. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,126 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Marshalltown Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution located in Sheldon, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 207 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northwest Iowa Community College is $6,540. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,840. On average, associate degree students take out $16,567 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northwest Iowa Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #16, Waldorf University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Waldorf is a private for-profit institution located in Forest City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 177 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $23,666 to cover tuition and fees at Waldorf. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,165 in student loans. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Waldorf does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ellsworth Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Iowa Falls, Iowa is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 140 students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ellsworth is $5,040. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,048. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,285 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Ellsworth does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Upper Iowa University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Fayette, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 102 students in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,609 to cover tuition and fees at UIU. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from UIU accumulate an average of $28,281 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
UIU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Mercy College of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 76 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Mercy College of Health Sciences accumulate an average of $32,883 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.
Mercy College of Health Sciences does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
St Luke’s College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 54 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $20,940 to cover tuition and fees at St Luke’s College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from St Luke’s College accumulate an average of $23,684 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.
St Luke’s College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #21, Hamilton Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Hamilton Technical College is located in Davenport, Iowa and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend Hamilton Technical College, expect to pay an average of $14,475 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.
With a ranking of #22, Dordt University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Sioux Center, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
Dordt does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $33,590. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 30% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Dordt. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 29% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Allen College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa list. Allen College is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Waterloo, Iowa. It awarded 16 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $19,718 to cover tuition and fees at Allen College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Allen College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend FBBC&TS, expect to pay an average of $18,180 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
FBBC&TS does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
Ross College-Quad Cities landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Bettendorf, Iowa, the very small private for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Ross College-Quad Cities accumulate an average of $21,838 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.
Ross College-Quad Cities does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 15% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Most Popular Associate Degree 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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