2027 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in Iowa

[Allied Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value allied health professions schools.
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2027 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in allied health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Iowa Tech Community College the best value for a degree in allied health professions in Iowa. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $7,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions 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.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value allied health professions schools. 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, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $15,186. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $50,501. Set against $15,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in allied health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $55,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Iowa Area Community College earned it the #4 place for allied health professions. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions 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.
Students looking for strong value in allied health professions will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $21,945. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $52,364. That is a strong return on a $21,945 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #6 for value in allied health professions this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $20,600 to complete the allied health professions program here. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $51,185. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $16,126. Allied Health Professions graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $60,712 early in their careers. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $43,781. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #10 among the best values for allied health professions. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,943 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $42,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #11 position for value in allied health professions 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. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #12 among the best values for allied health professions. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,271 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $54,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
St Lukes College earned the #14 position for value in allied health professions this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,335 in tuition and fees. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $50,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #15 spot for allied health professions value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $28,000. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $96,948. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dubuque landed the #16 spot for allied health professions value this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $120,504. That is a strong return on a $27,204 median debt. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University placed #17 among the best values for allied health professions. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $27,528. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $117,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #18 for value in allied health professions this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $25,415. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $54,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern College Iowa admits about 80% of applicants.
Mercy College Of Health Sciences came in at #19 for value in allied health professions 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 allied health professions graduates is $31,000. Allied Health Professions graduates of Mercy College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $55,912 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
More Allied Health Professions Rankings
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.