2026 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 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2026 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 North Iowa Area Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Iowa. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,335. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $27,433 early in their careers. Set against $9,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $27,483. Set against $10,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshalltown Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $29,836. That is a strong return on a $9,960 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,938 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $29,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,237. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $31,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,237 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,330 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $23,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,330 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $27,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $28,706 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $30,321. Set against $14,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,453. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Students borrow a median of $11,003 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Iowa Lakes Community College earn a median of $31,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,003 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Students borrow a median of $11,193 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $28,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #15 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $27,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. 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.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $28,623 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Students from in state pay about $19,848 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,509. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $63,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,509 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Iowa came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,269 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $40,791. That is a strong return on a $25,269 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Maharishi University Of Management earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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%.
Grand View University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $39,996. That is a strong return on a $25,973 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Upper Iowa University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Students borrow a median of $23,093 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $51,441. That is a strong return on a $23,093 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University ranked #24 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,878. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $50,431. That is a strong return on a $27,709 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
