2027 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in Iowa
[Teacher Education Grade Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education grade specific students.
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2027 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education grade specific, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools
Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for teacher education grade specific. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hawkeye Community College earned it the #3 place for teacher education grade specific. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $17,001. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Community College Creston earned it the #4 place for teacher education grade specific. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $15,881. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education grade specific, landing the #5 spot this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $14,956. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College placed #6 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $16,126. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $45,760. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ellsworth Community College earned the #8 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $17,062. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $40,503. That is a strong return on a $17,062 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #9 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #10 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $26,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Iowa State University landed the #12 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $45,512. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Coe College came in at #13 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $44,511. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Graceland University Lamoni earned the #14 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $36,563. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Buena Vista University landed the #15 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $41,996. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $42,834. That is a strong return on a $41,996 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College landed the #16 spot for teacher education grade specific 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. Students borrow a median of $24,622 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Mount Mercy University came in at #17 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,878. Students borrow a median of $30,687 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $43,810. Set against $30,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Loras College earned the #18 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $40,328. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
Grand View University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $46,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #20 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $45,015. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $37,646. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $41,802. Set against $37,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson College earned the #22 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $42,760. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College earned the #23 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Luther College earn a median of $45,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
William Penn University earned the #24 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,642 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $40,049 early in their careers. Set against $32,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Central College placed #25 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Central College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pella. In-state tuition and fees average $20,988. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Central College generally make around $44,000. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central College admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in teacher education grade specific:
More Teacher Education Grade Specific Rankings
View All Teacher Education Grade Specific Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
