2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in Iowa
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #1 spot for value among psychology schools in Iowa. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Indian Hills Community College one of the best values for psychology. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $49,626. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,673. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa Western Community College earned it the #5 place for psychology. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,153. 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.
Iowa State University landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,121. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,155. That is a strong return on a $23,121 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,995. Psychology graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grinnell College placed #8 among the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,702. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $28,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Graceland University Lamoni landed the #9 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Psychology graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $63,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.
Coe College earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,072. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Buena Vista University came in at #11 for value in psychology this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $49,292. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,198 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $41,193 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,198 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Loras College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $23,564. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Students borrow a median of $38,594 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $48,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Grand View University placed #15 among the best values for 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 psychology graduates is $28,200. Psychology graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $34,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,200 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,426. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
William Penn University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,443 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $35,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Central College came in at #18 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,988 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,923. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque placed #19 among the best values for psychology. University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $42,095. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $53,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Psychology graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #21 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,190. Psychology graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $32,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Clarke University earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Students from in state pay about $40,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $26,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Dordt College landed the #23 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,812. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northwestern College Iowa landed the #24 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,845. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Drake University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,248. Early-career psychology graduates make about $56,228. That is a strong return on a $20,248 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
View All Psychology Rankings >
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
