2027 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Iowa
[General Business Administration and Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/business-administration-and-management-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business administration and management education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools to find the best return on investment for general business administration and management students.
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2027 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business administration and management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Iowa Tech Community College the best value for a degree in general business administration and management in Iowa. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $35,742. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business administration and management, landing the #2 spot this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business administration and management will find it at Marshalltown Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $45,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #4 place for general business administration and management. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,190 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $37,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #5 place for general business administration and management. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,811 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $35,852. That is a strong return on a $10,811 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #6 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #7 among the best values for general business administration and management. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $20,635. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $29,018 early in their careers. Set against $20,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #8 for value in general business administration and management this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College landed the #9 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $40,503. Set against $17,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #10 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College earned the #11 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,271 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $54,373. That is a strong return on a $12,271 median debt.
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $20,876. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $46,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $64,967. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University earned the #15 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $75,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #16 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maharishi University Of Management placed #17 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,530. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Graceland University Lamoni came in at #18 for value in general business administration and management this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $25,791. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $42,777. That is a strong return on a $25,791 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Coe College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,666. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $47,815. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College landed the #20 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $22,100 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $64,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Buena Vista University landed the #21 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $31,000. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $52,307. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mount Mercy University placed #22 among the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $58,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Loras College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $27,000. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $41,810. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Iowa earned the #24 position for value in general business administration and management this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $24,892. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $77,385. That is a strong return on a $24,892 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University earned the #25 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,664 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $58,506. That is a strong return on a $35,664 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general business administration and management this year:
More General Business Administration and Management Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
