2027 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Iowa
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health professions degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Health Professions Schools
Leading the list is Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for health professions in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $15,304 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $46,698. That is a strong return on a $15,304 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa Central Community College earned it the #2 place for health professions. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $54,082. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshalltown Community College earned it the #3 place for health professions. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,935 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $61,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health professions 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. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $55,800. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Iowa Area Community College earned it the #5 place for 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,007 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $56,017. Set against $16,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston placed #6 among the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,244 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $63,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #7 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $22,326. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #8 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $22,518. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,156. Set against $22,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $19,935. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $57,497. That is a strong return on a $19,935 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for health professions. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $18,670. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $51,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #11 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Students borrow a median of $19,492 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $53,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #12 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $58,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #13 among the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Students borrow a median of $20,265 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $55,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,265 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $27,765 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,037 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $43,248. Set against $23,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #16 among the best values for health professions. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $20,810 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $62,453. Set against $20,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maharishi University Of Management came in at #17 for value in health professions this year. Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,530. Health Professions graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #18 among the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $61,157. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University landed the #19 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $26,705 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $33,958. That is a strong return on a $26,705 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #20 among the best values for health professions. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Students borrow a median of $30,754 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $97,582 early in their careers. Set against $30,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Carlson College Of Massage Therapy landed the #21 spot for health professions value this year. Carlson College Of Massage Therapy is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Anamosa. Students borrow a median of $10,125 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Carlson College Of Massage Therapy earn a median of $22,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waldorf College came in at #22 for value in health professions this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $27,086 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $46,923. That is a strong return on a $27,086 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Coe College came in at #23 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,666. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $27,000. Early-career health professions graduates make about $67,769. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
Mount Mercy University landed the #24 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,878. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $64,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Capri College Davenport placed #25 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Davenport, Capri College Davenport is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $7,150. Health Professions graduates of Capri College Davenport earn a median of $23,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Health Professions Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
More Health Professions Rankings
View All Health Professions 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
