by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Marshalltown Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Iowa. 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. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,960 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,836. That is a strong return on a $9,960 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $14,237 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,936. That is a strong return on a $14,237 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $30,321. Set against $14,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,330 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,938. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $29,838. Set against $11,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,335. Liberal Arts graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $27,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $28,706. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,418. Liberal Arts graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $27,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,821 median debt.
Ellsworth Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $22,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,003. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $31,966. Set against $11,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $24,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $27,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,193 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $28,291 early in their careers. Set against $11,193 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,414 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,677. That is a strong return on a $8,414 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $28,623 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,532. That is a strong return on a $28,623 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Maharishi University Of Management came in at #19 for value in liberal arts this year. Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $73,644. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University came in at #20 for value in liberal arts this year. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,709 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $50,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $23,093 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $51,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Grand View University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Students borrow a median of $25,973 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $39,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,973 median debt. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $25,269 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $40,791. That is a strong return on a $25,269 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.