2027 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in Iowa

[Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/emergency-medical-technology-technician-emt-paramedic/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) students.
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2027 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools
Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $7,935 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $43,254. Set against $7,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,186 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $50,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,186 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Hawkeye Community College one of the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $17,001. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $55,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $21,945 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $52,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,945 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), landing the #5 spot this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #6 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $43,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #7 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $20,600 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $51,185 early in their careers. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #8 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $17,000. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $51,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #9 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $60,712. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. 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 emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $17,943. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $42,927. Set against $17,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #11 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Students borrow a median of $12,271 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $54,373. Set against $12,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Iowa came in at #12 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $28,000. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Mercy College Of Health Sciences came in at #13 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,664. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $31,000. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $55,912. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.