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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Iowa (With Aid)

16 Ranked Colleges
5,668 Degrees Awarded
$10,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. 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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer 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.

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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Top 16 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Iowa (With Aid)

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, this large public school handed out 1,299 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, DMACC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,076 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend DMACC.

Full DMACC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#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 Getting Aid. Located in West Burlington, Iowa, this small public school awarded 216 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Southeastern Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $7,223 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Southeastern 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 Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 730 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kirkwood Community College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,939 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Kirkwood Community College.

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

#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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Marshalltown Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. 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 $7,456 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Iowa Area Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. North Iowa Area Community College is a small public school situated in Mason City, Iowa. It awarded 405 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 $8,409 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#9 in overall quality

Indian Hills Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Ottumwa, Iowa, this small public school awarded 349 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

IHCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Indian Hills Community College is $7,217 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full IHCC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#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 Getting Aid list. Calmar, 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 139 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, NICC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NICC is $10,505 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at NICC

#6 in overall quality

Iowa Central Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa Central Community College is a public institution located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 454 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Central Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $10,102 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Iowa Central Community College.

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

#10 in overall quality

Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a medium-sized public school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 504 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 with aid list, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,650 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District.

Full Eastern Iowa Community Colleges Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#5 in overall quality

Northwest Iowa Community College 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 Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Sheldon, Iowa, and it awarded 67 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 with aid list, Northwest Iowa Community College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwest Iowa Community College is $12,125 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#11

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Iowa Western Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 490 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Iowa Western Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $11,477 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Iowa Western Community College.

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

#15 in overall quality

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 165 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Western Iowa Tech Community College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $7,201 for iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#13

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

Hawkeye Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. 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 made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Hawkeye Community College is $11,495 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#14

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Ellsworth Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 89 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 with aid list, Ellsworth has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $11,198 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Ellsworth.

Full Ellsworth Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#16 in overall quality

Southwestern Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Creston, Iowa, this small public school handed out 120 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, SWCC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SWCC is $9,013 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#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 Getting Aid list. Located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students 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 $20,637 for Iowa Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full William Penn University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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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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