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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in Iowa

16 Ranked Colleges
5,668 Degrees Awarded
$8,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

The liberal arts / sciences & humanities school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 16 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in Iowa

#1 in overall quality

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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Des Moines Area Community College is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 1,299 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, DMACC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $8,543 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DMACC.

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

#2

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southeastern Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. Southeastern Community College is located in West Burlington, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 216 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Southeastern Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Community College is $6,527 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southeastern Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Iowa Area Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Iowa Area Community College is $7,397 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#4

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Marshalltown Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. Marshalltown Community College is a small public school situated in Marshalltown, Iowa. It awarded 152 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Marshalltown Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Marshalltown Community College is $5,012 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northeast Iowa Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. NICC is located in Calmar, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 139 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

NICC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for NICC is $9,153 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#6

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

Kirkwood Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kirkwood Community College is a public institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 730 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Kirkwood Community College is $8,831 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#6 in overall quality

Iowa Central Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fort Dodge, 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 454 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Central Community College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $8,734 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#9 in overall quality

Indian Hills Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. IHCC is a small public school situated in Ottumwa, Iowa. It awarded 349 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

IHCC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IHCC is $5,646 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 165 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $5,287 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#10

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Iowa Western Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,002 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa Western Community College.

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

#5 in overall quality

Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school situated in Sheldon, Iowa. It awarded 67 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest Iowa Community College also took the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Iowa Community College is $8,623 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#10 in overall quality

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Davenport, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 504 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $9,578 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Eastern Iowa Community College District

#13

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

Hawkeye Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

Hawkeye Community College also took 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 $9,083 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Hawkeye Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#14

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Ellsworth Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Iowa Falls, Iowa, this small public school handed out 89 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Ellsworth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Ellsworth is $9,192 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Southwestern Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Creston, Iowa, and it awarded 120 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SWCC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SWCC is $7,649 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SWCC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#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 $30-$48k list. William Penn University is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

William Penn University also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $19,203 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William Penn University.

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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