2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Iowa
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Iowa? Our ranking highlights 75 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree evaluated 17 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Iowa
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is Northwestern College Iowa, our #1 best-value Graduate Degrees school in Iowa. Based in Orange City, IA, Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Northwestern College Iowa Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,415 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Northwestern College Iowa profile
Out of the 17 schools in Iowa in this year's value ranking, Simpson College landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Indianola, IA. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,816 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,274 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,816 median debt. Simpson College admits about 86% of applicants. Read the full report on Simpson College
A rank of #3 makes Morningside College one of the best values in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux City, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. Students borrow a median of $27,281 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $55,494 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Morningside College
Buena Vista University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Iowa. Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit school based in Storm Lake, IA. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Buena Vista University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,317 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. Read more about Buena Vista University
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #5 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Iowa. Based in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $22,635. University Of Northern Iowa alumni report median earnings of $55,177 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Northern Iowa
Drake University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,273. Median earnings reach $71,901 ten years out. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%. Get the full Drake University report
Iowa State University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Iowa State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read more about Iowa State University
University Of Iowa landed the #8 spot for value in Iowa this year. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,463. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Iowa profile
University Of Dubuque offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Dubuque, IA, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. Graduates carry a median of $27,204 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Dubuque profile
Grand View University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,762. Grand View University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,941 in debt. Grand View University alumni report median earnings of $52,824 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Grand View University report
Loras College landed the #11 spot for value in Iowa this year. Located in Dubuque, IA, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,528. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,289. That is a strong return on a $26,528 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Loras College
Graceland University Lamoni offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lamoni, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Graceland University Lamoni Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,509 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,361 ten years after entry. Set against $27,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%. More on Graceland University Lamoni
Briar Cliff University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,642. Briar Cliff University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,918 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,475 ten years after entry. Set against $29,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Briar Cliff University profile
Mount Mercy University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cedar Rapids, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,709. Median earnings reach $60,787 ten years out. Set against $27,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Mount Mercy University report
Saint Ambrose University placed #15 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Iowa. Based in Davenport, IA, Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Saint Ambrose University alumni report median earnings of $59,531 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,528 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%. Get the full Saint Ambrose University report
Clarke University landed the #16 spot for value in Iowa this year. Set in Dubuque, IA, Clarke University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,910. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,895. Clarke University alumni report median earnings of $55,396 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clarke University admits about 72% of applicants. More on Clarke University
Upper Iowa University landed the #17 spot for value in Iowa this year. Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fayette, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $34,059. Median earnings reach $52,766 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Upper Iowa University has an acceptance rate of 96%. Read more about Upper Iowa University
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Southeastern Community College West Burlington
Indian Hills Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Indian Hills Community College report
Waldorf College
Waldorf College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Get the full Waldorf College report
William Penn University landed the #21 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read more about William Penn University
Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Northwest Iowa Community College report
Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center placed #23 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Iowa. See the full Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center profile
La James International College Johnston came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. See the full La James International College Johnston profile
Iowa Western Community College landed the #25 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read the full report on Iowa Western Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Iowa
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. See the full Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake profile
La James International College Cedar Falls ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on La James International College Cedar Falls
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #28 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read the full report on Des Moines Area Community College
Luther College
Luther College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Luther College
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines
The Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls report
La James International College Davenport offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on La James International College Davenport
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Southwestern Community College Creston profile
Capri College Dubuque ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Capri College Dubuque
Allen College
Allen College landed the #35 spot for value in Iowa this year. More on Allen College
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Western Iowa Tech Community College
St Lukes College
St Lukes College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full St Lukes College report
La James International College Ft Dodge offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on La James International College Ft Dodge
Hamilton Technical College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. See the full Hamilton Technical College profile
Divine Word College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Divine Word College report
Iowa Central Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read more about Iowa Central Community College
Pci Academy Ames
Pci Academy Ames offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. More on Pci Academy Ames
Pci Academy Iowa City ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Pci Academy Iowa City
Mercy College Of Health Sciences landed the #44 spot for value in Iowa this year. See the full Mercy College Of Health Sciences profile
Aveda Institute Des Moines ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Aveda Institute Des Moines
Wartburg College
Wartburg College landed the #46 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read more about Wartburg College
Capri College Davenport landed the #47 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read more about Capri College Davenport
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary placed #48 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Iowa. See the full Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary profile
North Iowa Area Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. More on North Iowa Area Community College
Brown Mackie College Quad Cities placed #50 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Iowa. Read more about Brown Mackie College Quad Cities
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 17 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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