2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Iowa
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
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2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Iowa Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in Iowa. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,135. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,121. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,155. Set against $23,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,153. General Psychology graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coe College landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Coe College earn a median of $37,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
Loras College placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $23,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
Buena Vista University placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $35,559. Set against $32,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Clarke University came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,910. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,714. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Clarke University admits about 72% of applicants.
Grand View University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,200 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,709. Set against $28,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
Waldorf College came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,198 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $41,193 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,198 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson College came in at #13 for value in general psychology this year. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $48,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Simpson College admits about 86% of applicants.
William Penn University landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,443 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,122. That is a strong return on a $27,443 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Central College came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,988. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Central College generally make around $29,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $46,918. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Saint Ambrose University landed the #17 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,190 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $32,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $38,594 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $42,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Dubuque came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $53,808 early in their careers. Set against $27,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Mount Mercy University placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,878. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,882. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,536. Set against $26,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,415. General Psychology graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,545. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University earned the #23 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $20,248 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Set against $20,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
More General Psychology 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
