2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Iowa
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in Iowa. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,874. Early-career engineering graduates make about $79,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #3. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,171 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $72,559. Set against $25,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wartburg College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,793. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $73,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Cornell College placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $35,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Dordt College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
