2027 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Iowa
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts / sciences & humanities programs.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Iowa
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Our analysis ranked University Of Iowa the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 204 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $40,791 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of Iowa
A rank of #2 makes Mount Mercy University one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 13 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mercy University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Mount Mercy University earn around $50,431 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete this degree.
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Des Moines Area Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 834 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Des Moines Area Community College earn around $31,453 in the first couple years of their career. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Iowa State University awarded about 47 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,532 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $28,623 in student loans.
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University Of Northern Iowa came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,009. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans.
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Kirkwood Community College earned the #6 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. There were roughly 642 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $29,838. Kirkwood Community College graduates carry a median of $11,938 in student loans.
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North Iowa Area Community College earned the #7 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 294 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at North Iowa Area Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,433 in their early career. North Iowa Area Community College graduates carry a median of $9,335 in student loans.
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Hawkeye Community College placed #8 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. There were roughly 218 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $30,321 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,209 to complete this degree.
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Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #9 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Sheldon. Northwest Iowa Community College awarded about 45 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,677 in their early career. Northwest Iowa Community College graduates carry a median of $8,414 in student loans.
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Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #10 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 94 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $31,936 early in their careers. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $14,237 in student loans.
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Indian Hills Community College earned the #11 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Ottumwa. There were roughly 189 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Indian Hills Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $27,483 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,418 to complete this degree.
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Upper Iowa University earned the #12 position for 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. Upper Iowa University graduates 33% of students within six years. About 50 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Upper Iowa University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Upper Iowa University earn around $51,441 in the first couple years of their career. Upper Iowa University graduates carry a median of $23,093 in student loans.
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Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #13 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Eastern Iowa Community College District awarded about 308 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,697 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,875.
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Grand View University placed #14 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Grand View University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $39,996 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,973.
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Iowa Western Community College placed #15 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. About 267 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $28,291 early in their careers. Iowa Western Community College graduates carry a median of $11,193 in student loans.
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Iowa Central Community College earned the #16 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. There were roughly 410 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Iowa Central Community College earn around $23,747 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,330 to complete this degree.
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Marshalltown Community College placed #17 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Marshalltown Community College awarded about 129 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $29,836. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete this degree.
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Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Calmar. About 127 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn around $29,491 in the first couple years of their career. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans.
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Iowa Lakes Community College earned the #19 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. About 135 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Iowa Lakes Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $31,966. Iowa Lakes Community College graduates carry a median of $11,003 in student loans.
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Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #20 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This small public university is located in the town of Creston. There were roughly 94 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Community College Creston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Southwestern Community College Creston earn around $28,706 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
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Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #21 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of West Burlington. About 189 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Southeastern Community College West Burlington in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $24,968 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
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Ellsworth Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public university. Ellsworth Community College awarded about 54 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $22,519. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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Maharishi University Of Management landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Fairfield. About 50% of students finish within six years. Maharishi University Of Management awarded about 43 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $73,644.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.
- 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.
