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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

16 Ranked Colleges
5,668 Degrees Awarded
$8,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,768 and $15,875 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 5,668 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,684 and $18,179 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 16 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

#1

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Southeastern Community College is a small school located in West Burlington, Iowa that handed out 216 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeastern Community College also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Community College is $4,925 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Southeastern Community College

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Des Moines Area Community College is a large school located in Ankeny, Iowa that handed out 1,299 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $7,776 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Des Moines Area Community College

#3

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kirkwood Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 730 students in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $8,067 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kirkwood Community College.

Full Kirkwood Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#4

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Marshalltown Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Marshalltown Community College is located in Marshalltown, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 152 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marshalltown Community College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marshalltown Community College is $5,073 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Marshalltown Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k 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 a public institution located in Mason City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 405 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Iowa Area Community College is $6,551 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full North Iowa Area Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#9 in overall quality

Indian Hills Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ottumwa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 349 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IHCC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IHCC is $5,644 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at IHCC

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northeast Iowa Community College is a public institution located in Calmar, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 139 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NICC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for NICC is $7,987 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northeast Iowa Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#5 in overall quality

Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest Iowa Community College, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $9,985 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest Iowa Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northwest Iowa Community College

#6 in overall quality

Iowa Central Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa Central Community College is a small school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa that handed out 454 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Central Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Central Community College is $7,979 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Iowa Central Community College

#10 in overall quality

Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a medium-sized public school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 504 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is $8,406 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Eastern Iowa Community College District

#15 in overall quality

Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 165 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $5,665 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#12

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

Iowa Western Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and it awarded 490 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Western Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Western Community College is $9,341 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Iowa Western Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#13

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Ellsworth Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 89 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Ellsworth also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $8,576 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ellsworth.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Ellsworth

#14

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

Hawkeye Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hawkeye Community College is located in Waterloo, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 297 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hawkeye Community College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hawkeye Community College is $9,084 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Hawkeye Community College

#16 in overall quality

Southwestern Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Southwestern Community College is located in Creston, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 120 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

SWCC also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southwestern Community College is $6,914 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SWCC

#16

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

William Penn University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. William Penn University is a small school located in Oskaloosa, Iowa that handed out 1 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

William Penn University also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for William Penn University is $18,845 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at William Penn University

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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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