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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k

13 Ranked Colleges
1,610 Degrees Awarded
$17,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 205,726 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,801 and had an average of $23,466 in loans still to pay off.

Across Iowa, there were 1,610 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,613 and $22,174 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 13 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the social sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 13 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school awarded 235 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $10,843 for iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Iowa State

#2

Grinnell College

Grinnell, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grinnell College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. Grinnell is located in Grinnell, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 129 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Grinnell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $14,818 for iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grinnell.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Grinnell

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 153 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $12,495 for iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Northern Iowa

#4

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 605 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,073 for iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Iowa

#5

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Coe College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k. Coe College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Coe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Coe College is $15,918 for Iowa Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Coe

#6

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa

Simpson College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Indianola, Iowa, and it awarded 23 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Simpson College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $15,323 for Iowa Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Simpson College.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Simpson College

#7

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Wartburg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Waverly, Iowa. It awarded 23 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wartburg has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wartburg College is $19,037 for Iowa Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wartburg Social Sciences Report

#8

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa

Loras College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loras is located in Dubuque, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loras, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loras College is $17,094 for Iowa Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Loras

#9

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
#12 in overall quality

Cornell College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Cornell College also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell College is $21,970 for iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Cornell College

#10

Central College

Pella, Iowa

Central College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pella, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Central did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $19,207 for iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Central

#11

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa

Luther College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Decorah, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Luther did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $17,630 for iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Luther College.

The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Luther Social Sciences Report

#12

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Upper Iowa University is a small school located in Fayette, Iowa that handed out 92 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Upper Iowa University is $17,928 for Iowa Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Upper Iowa University Social Sciences Report

#13

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Iowa For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Drake is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 68 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Drake also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Drake University is $24,060 for iowa social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Drake University

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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