2023 Most Popular 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 Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 75 schools in Iowa to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Iowa the most popular school in Iowa for students working on their degree. This large public school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 9,628 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Iowa accumulate an average of $23,563 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 $379 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Iowa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,430 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Iowa list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,681 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $257.After graduating from Iowa State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,142 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in Iowa list. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school handed out 3,727 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,577 in student loans. 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. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Northern Iowa is a great place for students. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 3,013 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,939 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $172, assuming you 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. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Kirkwood Community College is a great place for students. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 2,300 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. During the early years of their career, Kirkwood Community College graduates make an average of $38,090 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,636 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College accumulate an average of $14,142 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,155 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Drake University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular 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.
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. Once they receive their degree, Drake graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,927 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Upper Iowa University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Iowa ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 1,464 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UIU accumulate an average of $34,092 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,288 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Iowa list. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a medium-sized public school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 1,261 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,463 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges graduates make an average of $35,028 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Iowa list. Iowa Western Community College is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,256 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,104 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $97, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Iowa Western Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,271 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa that handed out 1,064 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,575 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $62.After graduating from Iowa Central Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,705 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Waldorf University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Waldorf is a private for-profit institution located in Forest City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 959 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Waldorf accumulate an average of $26,000 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Waldorf, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,483 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Iowa ranking. This small public school is located in Mason City, Iowa, and it awarded 948 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,157 in student loans. During the early years of their career, North Iowa Area Community College graduates make an average of $37,111 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 948 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,679 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Hawkeye Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,877 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Iowa list. St. Ambrose University is located in Davenport, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 909 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,244 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $401, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from St. Ambrose University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,094 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Iowa ranking. IHCC is a public institution located in Ottumwa, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 755 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from IHCC accumulate an average of $17,709 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, IHCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,385 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
With a ranking of #17, Southeastern Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Southeastern Community College is a small public school situated in West Burlington, Iowa. It awarded 694 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Southeastern Community College accumulate an average of $15,654 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Southeastern Community College graduates make an average of $35,945 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Palmer College of Chiropractic - Davenport did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 664 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, Palmer College of Chiropractic - Davenport graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,914 during the early year of their career. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeast Iowa Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Iowa list. NICC is a public institution located in Calmar, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 661 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from NICC accumulate an average of $15,283 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NICC graduates make an average of $36,089 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Morningside College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Iowa ranking. Morningside College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 614 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,099 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $208 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Morningside, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,189 during the early years of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #21, Maharishi International University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Fairfield, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 603 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, MIU graduates make an average of $109,488 annually. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #22, Mount Mercy University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Mount Mercy is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 589 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,114 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $289 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Mount Mercy graduates make an average of $45,158 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
University of Dubuque did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. UD is located in Dubuque, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 574 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UD accumulate an average of $28,068 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,274 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
Buena Vista University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Storm Lake, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 567 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,426 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, BVU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,214 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Grand View University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Iowa ranking. Grand View University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 565 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $29,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $196 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Grand View University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,475 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.