2026 Best Value Education Schools in Iowa

1

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Indian Hills Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,390. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IA

A rank of #3 makes North Iowa Area Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,043. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Iowa Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.

5

Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA

A rank of #5 makes Eastern Iowa Community College District one of the best values for education. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Southwestern Community College Creston
Creston, IA

Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Education graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Hawkeye Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Education graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.

8

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. 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, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,956. Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Education graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Education graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.

10

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #10 for value in education this year. 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 $26,008 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $52,436. Set against $26,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

11

Southeastern Community College West Burlington
West Burlington, IA

Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,126. Education graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $19,802 in student loans. Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $46,836 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,802 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

13

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,561 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,018 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

14

Graceland University Lamoni
Lamoni, IA

Graceland University Lamoni landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,848 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $36,563. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.

15

Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College placed #15 among the best values for education. 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 education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Coe College earn a median of $44,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #16 position for value in education this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,239. Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $47,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

17

Clarke University
Dubuque, IA

Clarke University earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $42,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clarke University admits about 72% of applicants.

18

Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University placed #18 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,918 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $61,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University placed #19 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $46,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.

20

Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Students borrow a median of $24,622 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Waldorf College generally make around $63,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.

21

Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College came in at #21 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Simpson College generally make around $43,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $32,642 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,049. That is a strong return on a $32,642 median debt. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.

23

Central College
Pella, IA

Central College came in at #23 for value in education this year. Central College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pella. Students from in state pay about $20,988 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Central College earn a median of $44,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

24

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College placed #24 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,851. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $45,585. That is a strong return on a $26,851 median debt. Wartburg College admits about 76% of applicants.

25

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University came in at #25 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $41,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.