2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Marshalltown Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Iowa. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,960 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,836. Set against $9,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,237 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $31,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $14,209 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $30,321. That is a strong return on a $14,209 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,330 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $23,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,330 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #5. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $29,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,335 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $27,433. Set against $9,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $31,453. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $28,706 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,418. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $27,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,821 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,491. That is a strong return on a $11,821 median debt.
Ellsworth Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $22,519 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $24,968 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Students borrow a median of $11,003 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $31,966. That is a strong return on a $11,003 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $27,697. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,193 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $28,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Students borrow a median of $8,414 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,677. Set against $8,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies 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 $26,400 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,623. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,532. That is a strong return on a $28,623 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Maharishi University Of Management landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,530. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $73,644. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,878. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,709. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,093 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,441. That is a strong return on a $23,093 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,973 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies 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 placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $40,791. Set against $25,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
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.
- 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.
