2026 Best Value Marketing Schools in Iowa
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marketing students.
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2026 Best Value Marketing Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marketing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marketing Schools
Our analysis ranked Kirkwood Community College the best value for a degree in marketing in Iowa. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $14,437 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. Set against $14,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for marketing. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marketing, landing the #4 spot this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $48,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $52,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University came in at #6 for value in marketing this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,994 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $42,972. Set against $25,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Loras College came in at #7 for value in marketing this year. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $46,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
Grand View University placed #8 among the best values for marketing. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $27,000. Early-career marketing graduates make about $45,057. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #9 for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. Students borrow a median of $26,467 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $46,480 early in their careers. Set against $26,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Mount Mercy University earned the #10 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $40,690 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Mercy University admits about 82% of applicants.
Dordt College placed #11 among the best values for marketing. 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. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $21,812. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $43,944. That is a strong return on a $21,812 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University landed the #12 spot for marketing value this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $19,250. Early-career marketing graduates make about $51,968. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
