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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

21 Ranked Colleges
6,129 Degrees Awarded
$12,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

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 in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” 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.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 21 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school. 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 in Iowa For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 in Iowa For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Iowa (With Aid)

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. Des Moines Area Community College is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 1,299 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, DMACC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DMACC is $10,076 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#2

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa

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 in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. West Burlington, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 216 students in 2019-2020.

Southeastern Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $7,223 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#3

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Kirkwood Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 730 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kirkwood Community College is $10,939 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#4

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

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 in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. Marshalltown Community College is located in Marshalltown, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 152 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Marshalltown Community College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marshalltown Community College is $7,456 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Iowa Area Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid. North Iowa Area Community College is located in Mason City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 405 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

North Iowa Area Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend North Iowa Area Community College is $8,409 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

Indian Hills Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. IHCC is a small public school situated in Ottumwa, Iowa. It awarded 349 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

IHCC also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IHCC is $7,217 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full Indian Hills Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#17 in overall quality

Northeast Iowa Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Calmar, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 139 students in 2019-2020.

NICC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend NICC is $10,505 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at NICC

Iowa Central Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Iowa Central Community College is a small school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa that handed out 454 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Central Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $10,102 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a medium-sized public school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 504 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District is $10,650 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small school located in Sheldon, Iowa that handed out 67 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest Iowa Community College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $12,125 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Northwest Iowa Community College.

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

#11

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa Western Community College is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 490 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Iowa Western Community College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Western Community College is $11,477 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 165 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $7,201 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#13

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa

Hawkeye Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Hawkeye Community College is a public institution located in Waterloo, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 297 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Hawkeye Community College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $11,495 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Hawkeye Community College.

Full Hawkeye Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Iowa State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $15,496 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Iowa State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#15

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 199 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $19,145 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#16

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa

Ellsworth Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Ellsworth is a small public school situated in Iowa Falls, Iowa. It awarded 89 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Ellsworth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $11,198 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Ellsworth Community College.

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

Southwestern Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Southwestern Community College is located in Creston, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 120 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

SWCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $9,013 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend SWCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SWCC

#18

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 76 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $15,620 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#19

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

With a ranking of #19, Grand View University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Grand View University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $19,826 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Grand View University.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Grand View University

#20

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, Iowa

William Penn University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid ranking. William Penn University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

William Penn University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend William Penn University is $20,637 for iowa liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

Graceland University - Lamoni ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Lamoni, Iowa, and it awarded 8 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Graceland Lamoni also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Graceland Lamoni is $17,650 for Iowa Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full Graceland Lamoni 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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