2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Our analysis ranked Marshalltown Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Iowa. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,960. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $29,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $31,936. Set against $14,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,209. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,330. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $23,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,938. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,838. That is a strong return on a $11,938 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Students borrow a median of $9,335 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,433. Set against $9,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $28,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,418. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,821. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $29,491. That is a strong return on a $11,821 median debt.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $24,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,003. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,966. Set against $11,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $27,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,193. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $28,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Students borrow a median of $8,414 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $40,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,623 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,532 early in their careers. Set against $28,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Maharishi University Of Management ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,530. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $73,644. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Mount Mercy University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,709 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $50,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $51,441. Set against $23,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. Students borrow a median of $25,973 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $39,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,269 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $40,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
