2027 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Iowa
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering technologies students.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technologies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Iowa Tech Community College the best value for a degree in engineering technologies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,886. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,669 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $68,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,669 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $17,001. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,983 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $59,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,984 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $44,886 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #6 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $15,995. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #7 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. 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 engineering technologies graduates is $15,153. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #8 for value in engineering technologies this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $23,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $70,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $25,236 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $62,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Waldorf College came in at #10 for value in engineering technologies this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $23,973. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $65,645. That is a strong return on a $23,973 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Hamilton Technical College earned the #11 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Hamilton Technical College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,600. Students borrow a median of $26,827 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Hamilton Technical College generally make around $55,931. Set against $26,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Engineering Technologies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
