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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in Iowa.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts
No school ranked higher than University Of Iowa this year for liberal arts. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 200 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $40,791 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete this degree.
Get the full liberal arts details for University Of Iowa
Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Mount Mercy University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Mount Mercy University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $50,431 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Mount Mercy University
Des Moines Area Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. About 673 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Des Moines Area Community College earn around $31,453 in the first couple years of their career. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for Des Moines Area Community College
A rank of #4 makes North Iowa Area Community College one of the top schools for liberal arts. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mason City. About 323 liberal arts degrees were awarded at North Iowa Area Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from North Iowa Area Community College earn around $27,433 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,335.
Read more about the liberal arts program at North Iowa Area Community College
Kirkwood Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #5. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. About 600 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Kirkwood Community College earn around $29,838 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,938.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Kirkwood Community College
Iowa State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,532 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $28,623 in student loans.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Iowa State University
Grand View University came in at #7 for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $39,996 early in their careers. Grand View University graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Grand View University
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #8 for liberal arts this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Northern Iowa
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #9 spot for liberal arts this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Eastern Iowa Community College District awarded about 341 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $27,697 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,875.
See the full liberal arts program report for Eastern Iowa Community College District
Hawkeye Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. There were roughly 239 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $30,321 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,209 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Hawkeye Community College
Indian Hills Community College placed #11 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 206 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Indian Hills Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Indian Hills Community College earn around $27,483 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,418 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Indian Hills Community College
Iowa Western Community College came in at #12 for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. There were roughly 197 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $28,291 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,193 to complete this degree.
Get the full liberal arts details for Iowa Western Community College
Iowa Central Community College came in at #13 for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Fort Dodge. Iowa Central Community College awarded about 420 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $23,747 early in their careers. Iowa Central Community College graduates carry a median of $11,330 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for Iowa Central Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College earned the #14 position for liberal arts this year. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. About 32 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Northwest Iowa Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $27,677. Northwest Iowa Community College graduates carry a median of $8,414 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for Northwest Iowa Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #15 position for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Sioux City. About 69 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,936 in their early career. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $14,237 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Western Iowa Tech Community College
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Estherville. There were roughly 163 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Lakes Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Iowa Lakes Community College earn around $31,966 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,003.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Iowa Lakes Community College
Marshalltown Community College placed #17 among the best liberal arts schools. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. There were roughly 111 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Marshalltown Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $29,836. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete this degree.
Get the full liberal arts details for Marshalltown Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #18 among the best liberal arts schools. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. About 109 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn around $29,491 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,821 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #19 position for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Creston. There were roughly 128 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Community College Creston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Southwestern Community College Creston earn around $28,706 in the first couple years of their career. Southwestern Community College Creston graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for Southwestern Community College Creston
Southeastern Community College West Burlington placed #20 among the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of West Burlington. About 195 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Southeastern Community College West Burlington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $24,968. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Southeastern Community College West Burlington
Upper Iowa University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. About 41 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Upper Iowa University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $51,441 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,093 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Upper Iowa University
Ellsworth Community College placed #22 among the best liberal arts schools. This small public university is located in the town of Iowa Falls. There were roughly 74 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Ellsworth Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $22,519 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full liberal arts details for Ellsworth Community College
Maharishi University Of Management placed #23 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Maharishi University Of Management graduates 50% of students within six years. Maharishi University Of Management awarded about 33 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers.
See the full liberal arts program report for Maharishi University Of Management
