by our College Data Analytics Team
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa” ranking is part of that endeavor.
With 556,813 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.
Across Iowa, there were 5,969 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,629 and $16,466 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 5,487 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,340 and $19,937 respectively.
This year’s “Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies. That schools that top this list have a program in liberal arts general studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.
Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa”.
Out of the 24 schools in the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Ellsworth Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Ellsworth is a small public school situated in Iowa Falls, Iowa. It awarded 78 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Out of the 24 schools in the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Estherville, Iowa, this small public school awarded 146 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Iowa Lakes Community College
Out of the 24 schools in the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 536 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
Full Eastern Iowa Community College District Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa Central Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 423 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
Full Iowa Central Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Out of the 24 schools in the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa 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 2020-2021, this school awarded 373 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Full North Iowa Area Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Iowa Western Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #6. Council Bluffs, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 493 students in 2020-2021.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Iowa Western Community College
Kirkwood Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #7. Kirkwood Community College is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 822 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Kirkwood Community College
Southeastern Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Southeastern Community College is a small school located in West Burlington, Iowa that handed out 248 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southeastern Community College
With a ranking of #9, Marshalltown Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Marshalltown Community College is a public institution located in Marshalltown, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 144 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Marshalltown Community College
Southwestern Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. SWCC is a small school located in Creston, Iowa that handed out 137 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Des Moines Area Community College is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 1,170 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Indian Hills Community College is a small school located in Ottumwa, Iowa that handed out 234 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 278 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Hawkeye Community College
With a ranking of #14, Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. This small school is located in Calmar, Iowa, and it awarded 160 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Northeast Iowa Community College
With a ranking of #15, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school situated in Sheldon, Iowa. It awarded 63 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Northwest Iowa Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 124 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Western Iowa Tech Community College
Emmaus Bible College ranked #17 on this year’s Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Emmaus Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 5 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Emmaus Bible College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Upper Iowa University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. Fayette, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Upper Iowa University
Waldorf University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Waldorf University is a small private for-profit school situated in Forest City, Iowa. It awarded 6 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Dordt University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Dordt University is a small school located in Sioux Center, Iowa that handed out 2 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.
With a ranking of #21, University of Dubuque did quite well on the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa list. This small school is located in Dubuque, Iowa, and it awarded 6 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
William Penn University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Oskaloosa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.
Full William Penn University Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Briar Cliff University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 0 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
Full Briar Cliff University Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Clarke University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools for an Associate Highly Focused on Liberal Arts Major in Iowa ranking. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Clarke University
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
