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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in Iowa (With Aid)

15 Ranked Colleges
5,450 Degrees Awarded
$9,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Iowa, there were 5,869 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 5,450 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,684 and $18,179 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The liberal studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Top 15 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in Iowa (With Aid)

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,180 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, DMACC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $10,076 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Des Moines Area Community College

#2

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. West Burlington, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 216 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southeastern Community College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Community College is $7,223 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Southeastern Community College

#3

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Kirkwood Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 730 students in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $10,939 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Kirkwood Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Kirkwood Community College

#4

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Marshalltown Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Marshalltown Community College is a public institution located in Marshalltown, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 146 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Marshalltown Community College also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marshalltown Community College is $7,456 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Marshalltown Community College

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, North Iowa Area Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. North Iowa Area Community College is located in Mason City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 405 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

North Iowa Area Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend North Iowa Area Community College is $8,409 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at North Iowa Area Community College

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Indian Hills Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. IHCC is a small school located in Ottumwa, Iowa that handed out 349 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

IHCC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $7,217 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Indian Hills Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at IHCC

#12 in overall quality

Northeast Iowa Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Calmar, Iowa, this small public school handed out 128 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, NICC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,505 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Northeast Iowa Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at NICC

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Iowa Central Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Iowa Central Community College is a small public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 435 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, Iowa Central Community College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,102 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Iowa Central Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Iowa Central Community College

#9 in overall quality

Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 504 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is $10,650 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

#4 in overall quality

Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Sheldon, Iowa, this small public school awarded 67 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Northwest Iowa Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Iowa Community College is $12,125 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Northwest Iowa Community College

#11

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

Iowa Western Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa Western Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It awarded 439 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Western Community College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Western Community College is $11,477 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full Iowa Western Community College Liberal Arts Report

#14 in overall quality

Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 158 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, Western Iowa Tech Community College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $7,201 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#13

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
#11 in overall quality

Hawkeye Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Hawkeye Community College is a public institution located in Waterloo, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 297 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Hawkeye Community College also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hawkeye Community College is $11,495 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Hawkeye Community College Liberal Arts Report

#14

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

Ellsworth Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 89 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Ellsworth also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Ellsworth Community College is $11,198 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Ellsworth

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Southwestern Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Creston, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 120 students in 2019-2020.

SWCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend SWCC is $9,013 for iowa associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full SWCC Liberal Arts Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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