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2022 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in Iowa

24 Ranked Colleges
3,578 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

With 310,601 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across Iowa, there were 3,578 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,396 and $29,131 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in Iowa

#1

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 708 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also made our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $15,729 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Education at University of Northern Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 415 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also made our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $14,161 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Education at Iowa State University

#3

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Simpson College landed the #3 spot on the list. Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Indianola, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Simpson College also made our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Simpson College is $14,790 for iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Education at Simpson College

#4

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Buena Vista University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k. Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 155 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k list, BVU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BVU is $15,292 for iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Education at BVU

#5

Central College

Pella, Iowa

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central College landed the #5 spot on the list. Central is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pella, Iowa. It awarded 21 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Central also made our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Central College is $19,495 for iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Central College

#6

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 443 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $18,272 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Iowa Education Report

#7

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Coe College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 9 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Coe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Coe is $18,375 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read full report on Education at Coe College

#8

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 50 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loras, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loras College is $18,438 for iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%.

Full Loras College Education Report

#9

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

Northwestern College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Orange City, Iowa, and it awarded 152 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

NWC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern College is $20,364 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read more about Education at NWC

#10

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa

Luther College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. This small school is located in Decorah, Iowa, and it awarded 18 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Luther did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Luther College is $19,852 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about Education at Luther College

#11

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa

With a ranking of #11, Wartburg College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wartburg is located in Waverly, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Wartburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $18,418 for iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wartburg College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Wartburg

#12

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

Cornell College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mount Vernon, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Cornell College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell College is $23,700 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Cornell College

#13

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Grand View University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 54 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Grand View University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Grand View University is $18,213 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Education at Grand View University

#14

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 286 students in 2019-2020.

Drake also took the #2 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Drake is $26,589 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Education at Drake

#15

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 155 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Dordt has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $22,821 for iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Dordt University.

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 full report on Education at Dordt University

#16

Morningside College

Sioux City, Iowa

Morningside College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 374 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Morningside also took the #16 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Morningside College is $21,842 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Morningside College Education Report

#17

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

With a ranking of #17, Mount Mercy University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 60 students in 2019-2020.

Mount Mercy did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Mercy is $20,957 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read full report on Education at Mount Mercy University

Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Graceland University - Lamoni is located in Lamoni, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 55 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Graceland Lamoni also took the #22 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Graceland Lamoni is $18,800 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Graceland University - Lamoni Education Report

#19

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

With a ranking of #19, Upper Iowa University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Fayette, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 200 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Upper Iowa University is $18,943 for iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Upper Iowa University Education Report

#20

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k list, St. Ambrose University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $27,002 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Saint Ambrose University.

Read more about Education at Saint Ambrose University

#21

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa

Briar Cliff University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

Briar Cliff did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $18,662 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Briar Cliff University.

Full Briar Cliff University Education Report

#22

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa

Clarke University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Clarke is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 39 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clarke, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $33,213 for iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Clarke.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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 Education at Clarke University

#23

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa

With a ranking of #23, University of Dubuque did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. UD is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 24 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa education students whose families make $48-$75k list, UD has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Dubuque is $28,437 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UD Education Report

#24

Iowa Wesleyan University

Mount Pleasant, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

Iowa Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Iowa Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Wesleyan, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Wesleyan University is $26,364 for Iowa Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Education at Iowa Wesleyan University

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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

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