2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Iowa
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among secondary education schools in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,886. Secondary Education 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.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Southwestern Community College Creston one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,881. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #4 place for secondary education. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,956. Secondary Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian Hills Community College earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. 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 secondary education graduates is $16,126. Secondary Education graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,153. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #9 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,995. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $63,443. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University earned the #12 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $41,996. Soon after graduation, secondary education 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 placed #13 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,622. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $63,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,878. Students borrow a median of $30,687 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $43,810. That is a strong return on a $30,687 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $46,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
Loras College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #17 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Simpson College came in at #18 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,760. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cornell College placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $42,756. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
William Penn University earned the #20 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,750. Students borrow a median of $32,642 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,727. Set against $32,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Clarke University landed the #21 spot for secondary education value this year. Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,204. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Dordt College earned the #22 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,995. Secondary Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $48,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Drake University earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Drake University earn a median of $46,479 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
Morningside College earned the #25 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,519. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,478. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s secondary education value ranking:
More Secondary Education Rankings
View All Secondary Education Rankings >
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
