2026 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in Iowa
[Allied Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for allied health professions students.
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2026 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in allied health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools
Leading the list is Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for allied health professions in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $7,935 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $43,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in allied health professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $43,781. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in allied health professions will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #3. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $21,945 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $52,364. That is a strong return on a $21,945 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in allied health professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $15,186. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $50,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hawkeye Community College earned it the #5 place for allied health professions. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $55,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #6 spot for allied health professions value this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $17,943. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $42,927. Set against $17,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #7 among the best values for allied health professions. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $51,206. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in allied health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $20,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $51,185. That is a strong return on a $20,600 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete the allied health professions program here. Allied Health Professions graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $60,712 early in their careers. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #10 among the best values for allied health professions. Set in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $12,271. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $54,373. That is a strong return on a $12,271 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #11 spot for allied health professions value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $23,250. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
St Lukes College landed the #13 spot for allied health professions value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,335. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $50,556. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $96,948. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #15 position for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete the allied health professions program here. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $117,805. That is a strong return on a $27,528 median debt. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,204 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $120,504. Set against $27,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Mercy College Of Health Sciences earned the #17 position for value in allied health professions this year. Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $17,664 in tuition and fees. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Mercy College Of Health Sciences generally make around $55,912. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College Of Health Sciences admits about 100% of applicants.
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
