by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Iowa? We have ranked 37 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 37 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
We analyzed 37 schools in Iowa to find which ones offer the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. Read more about our methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is North Iowa Area Community College, our #1 best value in Iowa. Based in Mason City, IA, North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. North Iowa Area Community College alumni report median earnings of $43,462 a decade after entry. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in Iowa. Located in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. The median program debt is $11,886. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,473. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in Iowa. Based in Marshalltown, IA, Marshalltown Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,010. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in Iowa. Indian Hills Community College is a public school based in Ottumwa, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $15,390. Median earnings reach $40,507 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #5 place in Iowa. Set in Cedar Rapids, IA, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt is $15,779. Kirkwood Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,016 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Fort Dodge, IA, Iowa Central Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #7 spot for value in Iowa this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a public school based in Creston, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,129 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #8 spot for value in Iowa this year. Based in Davenport, IA, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Typical student debt is $15,995. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,060. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #9 spot for value in Iowa this year. This public school is set in Calmar, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar students take on a median of $14,348 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,306. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Waterloo, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $17,001. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,849 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Estherville, IA, Iowa Lakes Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Typical student debt is $20,876. Median earnings reach $43,108 ten years out. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Des Moines Area Community College is a public school based in Ankeny, IA. 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 their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Sheldon, IA, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $12,271. Median earnings reach $50,776 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,271 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Council Bluffs, IA, Iowa Western Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,793. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in Iowa Falls, IA, Ellsworth Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. Ellsworth Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,562 a decade after entry. Set against $17,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Emmaus Bible College landed the #16 spot for value in Iowa this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dubuque, IA. Students from in state pay about $20,800 in tuition and fees. Emmaus Bible College alumni report median earnings of $42,631 a decade after entry. About 60% of those who apply are admitted.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington placed #17 among the best values in Iowa. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a public school based in West Burlington, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Typical student debt is $16,126. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,882 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
St Lukes College landed the #18 spot for value in Iowa this year. Based in Sioux City, IA, St Lukes College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,335. St Lukes College students take on a median of $24,042 in debt. St Lukes College alumni report median earnings of $61,033 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Lukes College admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #19 among the best values in Iowa. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. University Of Northern Iowa students take on a median of $22,635 in debt. University Of Northern Iowa alumni report median earnings of $55,177 a decade after entry. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Grinnell College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Grinnell, IA, Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Grinnell College students take on a median of $17,154 in debt. Median earnings reach $62,830 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. Grinnell College has an acceptance rate of 14%.
Iowa State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Spirit Lake, IA, Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their program here. Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake alumni report median earnings of $23,784 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Graceland University Lamoni came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Based in Lamoni, IA, Graceland University Lamoni is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,848. Students borrow a median of $27,509 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,361 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,509 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines placed #24 among the best values in Iowa. Located in Des Moines, IA, Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,130 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $25,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology placed #25 among the best values in Iowa. Based in Mason City, IA, La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. The median program debt is $8,582. La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology alumni report median earnings of $27,484 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,582 median debt.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 37 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
