By Iris Stone
In this ranking, we examine top value universities and colleges in Iowa. Our Best Value Online Colleges and Universities in Iowa provides a look at flexible distance learning options for Iowa residents.
Right away, Iowa stands out for the sheer number of four year, public and private/non-profit colleges it offers. Many Midwestern states host a relatively small number of schools (at least compared to East Coast alternatives) that is simply reflective of their comparatively smaller populations and sparser distribution of residents. But not Iowa! Not only is Iowa home to more than 30 options in higher education, but it's also the proud host of 20 colleges and universities that qualify for our "best value" ranking. Iowa residents and newcomers alike can enjoy Midwestern standouts like Central College (a leader in environmental sustainability), Luther College (a music powerhouse), Iowa State University (a top public school and leader in scientific research), and Emmaus Bible College (a popular choice for Christians and high achievers).
Below, you will find all the aforementioned universities – plus many more – listed in accordance with their performance in our ranking. We quantified each of these school's performance (see the total scores) based on a variety of core factors that we feel best represent excellent value, i.e. the ability to bring a lot to the table but ask a little in price.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Value Universities and Colleges in Iowa
Graduation Rate: This indicator refers to the percentage of students who complete their degree within 150% of normal time (six years for a typical four-year degree program). Schools that perform well in this area have a track record of keeping students engaged and successful for their entire time on campus. We weighted this category 30% of the total and retrieved the information from College Navigator.
Net Price: In order to make sure that cost was still a factor in the ranking, we also considered overall net price as an indicator. Taken from data on College Navigator, "net price" is an approximate value that refers to the average amount of money a student could expect to pay each year after taking into account tuition, room and board, living expenses, scholarship awards, and financial aid packages. We weighted this category 25% of the total.
Acceptance Rate: Academically challenging, popular universities tend to be more selective and thus have a lower acceptance rate. In order to pinpoint those colleges that boast rigorous academics and also receive a large number of applications, we considered acceptance rate – the percentage of students out of the total number of applicants who receive an acceptance letter. We retrieved this information from College Navigator and weighted it 30% of the total.
20-Year Net Return on Investment: Taken from information on the website PayScale, this statistic provides a picture of how much students can expect to make after they graduate from a particular college. More specifically, the figure is calculated by taking the average income an alumnus will make over his or her first 20 years after graduation and subtracting the amount paid in tuition. Schools with a high ROI tend to be better at preparing their students for the job market. We weighted this category only 15% because data was not available for all colleges considered.
After adding all the points, we gave each university a final score out of 200. The schools below have scores ranging from 81 to 156, and each has something different to offer in terms of its cost, quality, and reputation. No one college is perfect (which is why the scores vary so much) but this ranking offers you a premier selection of universities to help get you started on your search for an education in Iowa.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Sources:
College Navigator
Pay Scale
This concludes our ranking of best value Iowa colleges and universities.
About the Author:
Iris Stone began her writing career as a freelance writer and researcher. She now owns and operates a writing and editing firm that works with clients all across the country. Her work has included articles related to education policy, colleges and universities, academic programs, and careers.
