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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

18 Ranked Colleges
936 Degrees Awarded
$17,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Biology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 102,043 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, general biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $28,233 and had an average of $23,964 in loans still to pay off.

Across Iowa, there were 936 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,291 and $24,580 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in general biology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general biology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general biology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

#1

Grinnell College

Grinnell, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grinnell College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Grinnell, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 41 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

Grinnell also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Grinnell is $11,945 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Grinnell College

#2

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 95 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $10,757 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa General Biology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 225 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $10,054 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State General Biology Report

#4

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 128 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $12,975 for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa General Biology Report

#5

Central College

Pella, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Central College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pella, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Central did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Central is $19,172 for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Central College General Biology Report

#6

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Coe College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Coe College is a small school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 46 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Coe also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $14,590 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Coe.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Coe General Biology Report

#7

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa

Buena Vista University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Storm Lake, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, BVU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Buena Vista University is $14,210 for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Biology at BVU

#8

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Waverly, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

Wartburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $16,334 for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wartburg.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Wartburg

#9

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

Mount Mercy also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Mercy University is $13,992 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Mount Mercy University General Biology Report

#10

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and it awarded 11 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Dordt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $24,967 for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dordt.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at Dordt

#11

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grand View University, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand View University is $18,481 for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Biology at Grand View University

#12

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
#17 in overall quality

Cornell College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cornell College is a small school located in Mount Vernon, Iowa that handed out 7 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cornell College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cornell College is $20,458 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cornell College General Biology Report

Graceland University - Lamoni came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lamoni, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

Graceland Lamoni also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Graceland Lamoni is $15,015 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Biology at Graceland Lamoni

#14

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Ambrose University is located in Davenport, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

St. Ambrose University also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Ambrose University is $23,977 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Biology at Saint Ambrose University

#15

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa

Luther College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Luther is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decorah, Iowa. It awarded 41 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Luther also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Luther College is $16,636 for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Luther

#16

Morningside College

Sioux City, Iowa

Morningside College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Morningside, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Morningside College is $19,805 for iowa biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Morningside College General Biology Report

#17

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 18 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Drake also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Drake is $25,212 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on General Biology at Drake

#18

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

With a ranking of #18, Upper Iowa University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Upper Iowa University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 13 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $21,427 for Iowa Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Upper Iowa University.

Read more about General Biology at UIU

Notes and References

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%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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