2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Iowa
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Professions Schools
For return on investment in health professions, no school beat Western Iowa Tech Community College this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,304 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $46,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Iowa Area Community College earned it the #2 place for health professions. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $16,007 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,935 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $61,954 early in their careers. Set against $17,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $22,518 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $47,975. Set against $22,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for health professions. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,714. Early-career health professions graduates make about $53,999. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $23,125. Health Professions graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $55,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #7 among the best values for health professions. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $19,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $52,386. That is a strong return on a $19,492 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Students borrow a median of $20,265 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $55,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College placed #9 among the best values for health professions. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $22,326 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $56,021. Set against $22,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #10 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $20,244. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,505. That is a strong return on a $20,244 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #11 for value in health professions 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,670 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $51,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,670 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #12 for value in health professions this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,935 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $59,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,935 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #13 position for value in health professions 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $27,765. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,426. That is a strong return on a $27,765 median debt.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $20,810. Early-career health professions graduates make about $62,453. That is a strong return on a $20,810 median debt.
Ellsworth Community College placed #15 among the best values for health professions. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $22,125. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $58,487. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt.
Iowa Lakes Community College earned the #16 position for value in health professions this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. Students from in state pay about $7,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $30,750. Early-career health professions graduates make about $61,157. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #17 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $23,037. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $40,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
St Lukes College came in at #18 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,335. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $24,031. Health Professions graduates of St Lukes College earn a median of $64,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Iowa State University placed #19 among the best values for health professions. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $26,705. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $33,958. Set against $26,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Graceland University Lamoni ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $30,754. Early-career health professions graduates make about $97,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Maharishi University Of Management earned the #21 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,530. Health Professions graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
Capri College Davenport ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Capri College Davenport is a small private for-profit institution. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $7,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Capri College Davenport generally make around $23,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carlson College Of Massage Therapy ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Carlson College Of Massage Therapy is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Anamosa. Students borrow a median of $10,125 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Carlson College Of Massage Therapy earn a median of $22,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines placed #24 among the best values for health professions. Located in the suburb of Des Moines, Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $9,130. Early-career health professions graduates make about $20,355. That is a strong return on a $9,130 median debt.
Loras College earned the #25 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $43,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Health Professions Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health professions this year:
More Health Professions Rankings
View All Health Professions Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
