2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in Iowa
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in Iowa? We have ranked 75 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search analyzed 18 schools to compile 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 Teaching Degree Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Iowa. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. University Of Northern Iowa Teaching students take on a median of $22,635 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,177. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern College Iowa one of the best values in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,710. Northwestern College Iowa Teaching students take on a median of $25,415 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,802 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Northwestern College Iowa report
Out of the 18 schools in Iowa in this year's value ranking, Morningside College landed the #3 spot. Based in Sioux City, IA, Morningside College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. The median Teaching program debt is $27,281. Morningside College alumni report median earnings of $55,494 a decade after entry. Set against $27,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morningside College has an acceptance rate of 71%. Read the full report on Morningside College
Out of the 18 schools in Iowa in this year's value ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,495. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. See the full Iowa State University profile
Out of the 18 schools in Iowa in this year's value ranking, University Of Iowa landed the #5 spot. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. University Of Iowa Teaching students take on a median of $24,463 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa has an acceptance rate of 84%. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Drake University came in at #6 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 $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Teaching program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,901 ten years after entry. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 64% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Drake University report
Buena Vista University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Storm Lake, IA, Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Buena Vista University Teaching 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. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Buena Vista University
Dordt College placed #8 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. Based in Sioux Center, IA, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete their Teaching program here. Median earnings reach $52,559 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,812 median debt. Dordt College has an acceptance rate of 68%. Get the full Dordt College report
Simpson College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Indianola, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,656. The median Teaching program debt is $26,816. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,274 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read more about Simpson College
Loras College placed #10 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dubuque, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Loras College Teaching students take on a median of $26,528 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,289. That is a strong return on a $26,528 median debt. Loras College has an acceptance rate of 100%. Get the full Loras College report
Grand View University landed the #11 spot for value in Iowa this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,762. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,941. Median earnings reach $52,824 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,941 median debt. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants. Get the full Grand View University report
Mount Mercy University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Mount Mercy University report
Saint Ambrose University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Davenport, IA, Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete their Teaching program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,531 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University has an acceptance rate of 77%. See the full Saint Ambrose University profile
Upper Iowa University landed the #14 spot for value in Iowa this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fayette, IA. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $34,059 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,766. Set against $34,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Upper Iowa University has an acceptance rate of 96%. More on Upper Iowa University
Briar Cliff University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux City, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,642. Students borrow a median of $29,918 to complete their Teaching program here. 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. More on Briar Cliff University
William Penn University landed the #16 spot for value in Iowa this year. William Penn University is a private not-for-profit school based in Oskaloosa, IA. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. William Penn University Teaching students take on a median of $28,341 in debt. Median earnings reach $48,936 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted. Get the full William Penn University report
Wartburg College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Based in Waverly, IA, Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. The median Teaching program debt is $26,793. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,201. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read more about Wartburg College
University Of Dubuque came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Dubuque, IA, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,095. The median Teaching program debt is $27,204. Median earnings reach $51,190 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Dubuque report
The Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls report
Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City profile
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. More on North Iowa Area Community College
Iowa Lakes Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Get the full Iowa Lakes Community College report
Wartburg Theological Seminary ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Wartburg Theological Seminary
Capri College Cedar Rapids offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Capri College Cedar Rapids report
Divine Word College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Divine Word College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Iowa
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary landed the #26 spot for value in Iowa this year. More on Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary
Clarke University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Clarke University profile
Ellsworth Community College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Ellsworth Community College
Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport placed #29 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. Read the full report on Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines
Grinnell College
Grinnell College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Grinnell College
Iowa Western Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full Iowa Western Community College profile
La James International College Cedar Falls placed #33 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. Read the full report on La James International College Cedar Falls
Mercy St Lukes School Of Radiologic Technology ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Mercy St Lukes School Of Radiologic Technology
Cornell College
Cornell College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Cornell College
Kirkwood Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Kirkwood Community College profile
Graceland University Lamoni ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Graceland University Lamoni
American Hair Academy placed #38 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. Read the full report on American Hair Academy
Allen College
Allen College landed the #39 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read more about Allen College
Hawkeye Community College landed the #40 spot for value in Iowa this year. Read the full report on Hawkeye Community College
Coe College
Coe College placed #41 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. Read more about Coe College
Southeastern Community College West Burlington placed #42 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. Read more about Southeastern Community College West Burlington
Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center placed #43 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. Get the full Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center report
Luther College
Luther College placed #44 among the best-value Teaching schools in Iowa. Read more about Luther College
Iowa Central Community College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Iowa Central Community College
St Lukes College
St Lukes College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full St Lukes College profile
La James International College Davenport ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about La James International College Davenport
Carlson College Of Massage Therapy ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Carlson College Of Massage Therapy
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake
Unitypoint Health Des Moines School Of Radiologic Technology came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Unitypoint Health Des Moines School Of Radiologic Technology
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 18 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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