2026 Best Value Value Schools in Iowa
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for value in Iowa. 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 value graduates is $11,886. Value graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
View All Value Rankings >
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
