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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Iowa

21 Ranked Colleges
6,129 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Iowa, there were 6,129 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,768 and $15,875 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

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

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Iowa

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 Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ankeny, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,299 students in 2019-2020.

DMACC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,468 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Des Moines Area Community College

#2

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Marshalltown Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, and it awarded 152 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Marshalltown Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $7,888 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Marshalltown Community College

#3

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 #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k. Southeastern Community College is a public institution located in West Burlington, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 216 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeastern Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $8,542 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southeastern Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southeastern Community College

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Iowa Area Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. North Iowa Area Community College is a small public school situated in Mason City, Iowa. It awarded 405 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend North Iowa Area Community College is $8,707 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at North Iowa Area Community College

#5

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Kirkwood Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 730 students in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Kirkwood Community College is $11,535 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Kirkwood Community College

#17 in overall quality

Northeast Iowa Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northeast Iowa Community College is a small public school situated in Calmar, Iowa. It awarded 139 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

NICC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $11,309 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NICC.

Full NICC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Indian Hills Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. IHCC is a small public school situated in Ottumwa, Iowa. It awarded 349 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

IHCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $8,293 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Indian Hills Community College.

Full Indian Hills Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 80 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $14,161 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa State.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Iowa Central Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Iowa Central Community College is a small school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa that handed out 454 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Central Community College also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $11,400 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Iowa Central Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution located in Sheldon, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest Iowa Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwest Iowa Community College is $12,614 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Northwest Iowa Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#11

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 490 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Western Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $12,033 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa Western Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Iowa Western Community College

Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 165 students in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $7,939 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a medium-sized school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 504 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is $11,801 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Eastern Iowa Community College District

#14

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa

With a ranking of #14, Hawkeye Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Hawkeye Community College is located in Waterloo, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 297 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Hawkeye Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $11,773 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Hawkeye Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Hawkeye Community College

#15

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 199 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $18,272 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Iowa

#16

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 76 students in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $15,729 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Full UNI Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#17

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #17, Ellsworth Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Iowa Falls, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 89 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ellsworth has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $11,407 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ellsworth Community College.

Full Ellsworth Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Southwestern Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Creston, Iowa, this small public school handed out 120 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

SWCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend SWCC is $8,259 for iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Southwestern Community College

#19

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, Iowa

William Penn University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and it awarded 1 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

William Penn University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend William Penn University is $21,361 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at William Penn University

#20

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

With a ranking of #20, Grand View University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k list. Grand View University is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 23 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k list, Grand View University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand View University is $18,213 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Grand View University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Graceland University - Lamoni landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Iowa For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Graceland University - Lamoni is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lamoni, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Graceland Lamoni also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Graceland Lamoni is $18,800 for Iowa Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Graceland University - Lamoni Liberal Arts General Studies 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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