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2022 Best Value Colleges for Education in Iowa (With Aid)

24 Ranked Colleges
3,578 Degrees Awarded
$22,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Education is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 310,601 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 Getting Aid” 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.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid.

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Education in Iowa (With Aid)

#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 Getting Aid. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 708 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

UNI also took the #1 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $15,620 for iowa education students with aid per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Education at University of Northern Iowa

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 415 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also made our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $15,496 for iowa education students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. 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

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 443 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $19,145 for iowa education students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Education at University of Iowa

#4

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Buena Vista University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BVU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $17,544 for iowa education students with aid per year to attend Buena Vista University.

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.

Read more about Education at Buena Vista University

#5

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Simpson College landed the #5 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $19,151 for Iowa Education students with aid per year to attend Simpson College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Simpson College Education Report

#6

Central College

Pella, Iowa

With a ranking of #6, Central College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Pella, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Central also took the #7 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central is $23,269 for Iowa Education students with aid.

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 Central

#7

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wartburg College is a small school located in Waverly, Iowa that handed out 45 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wartburg, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $21,787 for Iowa Education students with aid 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 more about Education at Wartburg College

#8

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Grand View University is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 54 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand View University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $19,826 for Iowa Education students with aid per year to attend Grand View University.

Read full report on Education at Grand View University

#9

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

Northwestern College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. NWC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Orange City, Iowa. It awarded 152 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NWC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NWC is $22,968 for iowa education students with aid.

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 full report on Education at NWC

#10

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 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. It costs about $20,676 for Iowa Education students with aid per year to attend Loras.

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

#11

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa

Luther College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Decorah, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Luther not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $23,620 for iowa education students with aid per year to attend Luther.

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%.

Read full report on Education at Luther

#12

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Coe College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Coe is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 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. It costs about $19,955 for iowa education students with aid 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%.

Read more about Education at Coe

With a ranking of #13, Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Lamoni, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

Graceland Lamoni also took the #22 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $17,650 for iowa education students with aid per year to attend Graceland Lamoni.

Read full report on Education at Graceland University - Lamoni

#14

Morningside College

Sioux City, Iowa

With a ranking of #14, Morningside College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Morningside College is located in Sioux City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 374 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Morningside also took the #16 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $21,337 for Iowa Education students with aid per year to attend Morningside.

Read full report on Education at Morningside

#15

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

Cornell College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Cornell College also made our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell College is $26,901 for Iowa Education students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Full Cornell College Education Report

#16

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Dordt 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.

Dordt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dordt is $25,102 for iowa education students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Dordt

#17

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 200 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $21,624 for iowa education students with aid per year to attend Upper Iowa University.

Read full report on Education at UIU

#18

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa

Briar Cliff University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa education students with aid list, Briar Cliff has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Briar Cliff is $20,604 for iowa education students with aid.

Read full report on Education at Briar Cliff

#19

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 286 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Drake did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Drake is $29,432 for Iowa Education students with aid.

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%. 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. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Education at Drake

#20

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid 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 also made our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Mount Mercy is $20,857 for iowa education students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Mount Mercy Education Report

#21

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Saint Ambrose University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa education students with aid list, St. Ambrose University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Ambrose University is $26,204 for iowa education students with aid.

Full St. Ambrose University Education Report

#22

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa

University of Dubuque landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dubuque, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa education students with aid list, UD has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $26,748 for Iowa Education students with aid per year to attend UD.

Read more about Education at University of Dubuque

#23

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa

Clarke University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Clarke University is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 39 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Clarke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $34,204 for Iowa Education students with aid per year to attend Clarke University.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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 more about Education at Clarke

#24

Iowa Wesleyan University

Mount Pleasant, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

Iowa Wesleyan University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 12 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Iowa Wesleyan also took the #23 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Wesleyan is $26,312 for Iowa Education students with aid.

Read more about Education at Iowa Wesleyan

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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