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