2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Iowa
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
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2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
For return on investment in general psychology, no school beat Des Moines Area Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian Hills Community College earned it the #2 place for general psychology. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,390. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,673. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned it the #4 place for general psychology. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,126. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,121 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $34,155. That is a strong return on a $23,121 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,153. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,995. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Graceland University Lamoni ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $63,443. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Coe College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,666. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,198. General Psychology graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $41,193 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University earned the #11 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $35,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Loras College placed #12 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $23,564. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $38,594. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $42,183. That is a strong return on a $38,594 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University came in at #14 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Students borrow a median of $28,200 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $34,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Central College earned the #15 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,988. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Central College earn a median of $29,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central College admits about 86% of applicants.
William Penn University placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $29,750. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,443. General Psychology graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $35,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,095. Students borrow a median of $27,204 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $53,808. That is a strong return on a $27,204 median debt. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Cornell College earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Clarke University came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,910. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $26,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clarke University admits about 72% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #20 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,190. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,627. That is a strong return on a $25,190 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Dordt College placed #21 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northwestern College Iowa earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,415. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $54,845. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern College Iowa admits about 80% of applicants.
Drake University landed the #23 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $20,248 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. That is a strong return on a $20,248 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $46,918. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
More General Psychology 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
