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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

19 Ranked Colleges
5,869 Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools 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. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 365,980 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts is the 2nd most popular major in the United States.

Across Iowa, there were 5,869 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in Iowa (With Aid)

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, this large public school handed out 1,180 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

DMACC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $10,076 for iowa liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at DMACC

#2

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southeastern Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. Southeastern Community College is located in West Burlington, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 216 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Southeastern Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $7,223 for iowa liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southeastern Community College

#3

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kirkwood Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this fairly large public school handed out 730 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Kirkwood Community College is $10,939 for iowa liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Kirkwood Community College

#4

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Marshalltown Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. Marshalltown Community College is located in Marshalltown, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 146 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal studies students with aid list, Marshalltown Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $7,456 for Iowa Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Marshalltown Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Iowa Area Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. This small school is located in Mason City, Iowa, and it awarded 405 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for North Iowa Area Community College is $8,409 for iowa liberal studies students with aid.

Full North Iowa Area Community College Liberal Arts Report

Indian Hills Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. IHCC is located in Ottumwa, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 349 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

IHCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend IHCC is $7,217 for Iowa Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full IHCC Liberal Arts Report

#16 in overall quality

Northeast Iowa Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. NICC is located in Calmar, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 128 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

NICC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $10,505 for iowa liberal studies students with aid per year to attend NICC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Northeast Iowa Community College

Iowa Central Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and it awarded 435 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal studies students with aid list, Iowa Central Community College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Central Community College is $10,102 for iowa liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Iowa Central Community College

With a ranking of #9, Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 504 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Iowa Community College District is $10,650 for Iowa Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Eastern Iowa Community College District Liberal Arts Report

Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school situated in Sheldon, Iowa. It awarded 67 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest Iowa Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $12,125 for Iowa Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Northwest Iowa Community College.

Full Northwest Iowa Community College Liberal Arts Report

#11

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 439 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Western Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Western Community College is $11,477 for iowa liberal studies students with aid.

Full Iowa Western Community College Liberal Arts Report

Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 158 students in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $7,201 for iowa liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#13

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa

With a ranking of #13, Hawkeye Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Waterloo, Iowa, and it awarded 297 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Hawkeye Community College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hawkeye Community College is $11,495 for Iowa Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Hawkeye Community College

Iowa State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 80 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $15,496 for Iowa Liberal Studies students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Iowa State University

#15

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 190 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $19,145 for iowa liberal studies students with aid per year to attend University of Iowa.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Iowa

#16

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa

Ellsworth Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Ellsworth Community College is a public institution located in Iowa Falls, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ellsworth also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $11,198 for iowa liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Ellsworth Community College.

Full Ellsworth Community College Liberal Arts Report

Southwestern Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southwestern Community College is a public institution located in Creston, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 120 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SWCC also took the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SWCC is $9,013 for iowa liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SWCC

#18

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #18, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 76 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $15,620 for iowa liberal studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at UNI

#19

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Grand View University also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $19,826 for iowa liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Grand View University.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Grand View University

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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