2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in Iowa
[Art Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/art-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art education students.
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2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Education Schools
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #1 spot for value among art education schools in Iowa. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $26,000. Early-career art education graduates make about $52,307. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Buena Vista University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Art Education graduates carry a median of $29,008 in student loans. Early-career art education graduates make about $44,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $46,908. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Morningside College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,519. Art Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career art education graduates make about $52,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University placed #6 among the best values for art education. 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. Art Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $50,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
More Art Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
