2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat North Iowa Area Community College this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $9,335 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,433. Set against $9,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Indian Hills Community College, which ranked #2. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $27,483. That is a strong return on a $10,418 median debt.
Marshalltown Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $29,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,938 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $29,838 early in their careers. Set against $11,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Iowa Tech Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. 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, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,237 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $31,936. That is a strong return on a $14,237 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,330. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $23,747. Set against $11,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $27,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,706. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,209. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $30,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,821 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $31,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,003. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $31,966. That is a strong return on a $11,003 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,193 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,291. That is a strong return on a $11,193 median debt.
Ellsworth Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $22,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,414. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northwest Iowa Community College earn a median of $27,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $24,968. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $40,009. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Iowa State University came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,623 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,532. That is a strong return on a $28,623 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Graceland University Lamoni came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,509. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $63,443. Set against $27,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,269 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $40,791. Set against $25,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Maharishi University Of Management landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,530. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Maharishi University Of Management generally make around $73,644. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
Grand View University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,973. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,996. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,093. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $51,441. Set against $23,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Mount Mercy University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,709. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,431. That is a strong return on a $27,709 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
More Liberal Arts General Studies 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
