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