2023 Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for teaching students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Teaching Degree Search has created its Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa ranking. This report analyzed 42 schools in Iowa to see which ones were the most popular programs for teaching students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa
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Our analysis found University of Northern Iowa to be the most popular school for teaching students in Iowa. This medium-sized public school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 674 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNI accumulate an average of $22,939 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $172 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNI graduates make an average of $40,810 annually. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 447 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Iowa State accumulate an average of $23,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $257, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Iowa State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,142 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Iowa is a great place for teaching students. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school handed out 395 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,563 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $379. During the early years of their career, Iowa graduates make an average of $50,430 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Morningside College is a great place for teaching students. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 314 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,099 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $208, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Morningside graduates make an average of $51,189 annually. Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 42 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Drake University landed the # 5 spot on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 267 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,572 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $432, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Drake graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,927 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
Buena Vista University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa list. BVU is located in Storm Lake, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 246 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $31,426 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from BVU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,214 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Upper Iowa University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa list. UIU is located in Fayette, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 182 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UIU accumulate an average of $34,092 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,288 during the early year of their career. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
Northwestern College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #7 on the list. NWC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Orange City, Iowa. It awarded 182 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, NWC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,021 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.
With a ranking of #9, Dordt University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and it awarded 133 degrees in 2020-2021.
After graduating from Dordt, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,809 during the early years of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular teaching programs. Mason City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College accumulate an average of $15,157 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Iowa Area Community College graduates make an average of $37,111 annually. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular teaching programs. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 64 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,142 in student loans.After graduating from Western Iowa Tech Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,155 during the early years of their career. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Mount Mercy University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 53 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Mount Mercy accumulate an average of $29,114 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $289. Once they receive their degree, Mount Mercy graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,158 during the early year of their career. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.
Loras College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa ranking. Loras is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 50 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,552 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Loras, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,708 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Grand View University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #14 on the list. Grand View University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 45 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,831 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $196. Once they receive their degree, Grand View University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,475 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Lamoni, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 42 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Graceland Lamoni accumulate an average of $27,121 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $180 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Graceland Lamoni, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,336 during the early years of their career. Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 41 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from St. Ambrose University accumulate an average of $27,244 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $401. Once they receive their degree, St. Ambrose University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,094 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Wartburg College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #17 on the list. Wartburg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Waverly, Iowa. It awarded 36 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wartburg accumulate an average of $24,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $313.After graduating from Wartburg, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,976 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Waldorf University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working. Waldorf is a small private for-profit school situated in Forest City, Iowa. It awarded 34 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,000 in student loans.After graduating from Waldorf, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,483 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
William Penn University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular teaching programs. William Penn University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from William Penn University accumulate an average of $32,765 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $187. Once they receive their degree, William Penn University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,171 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
University of Dubuque came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 27 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UD accumulate an average of $28,068 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UD graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,274 during the early year of their career. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
Simpson College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa list. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianola, Iowa. It awarded 26 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,958 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Simpson College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,402 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Clarke University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #22 on the list. Clarke is located in Dubuque, Iowa and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Clarke accumulate an average of $29,471 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Clarke, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,895 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Iowa Wesleyan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa ranking. Mount Pleasant, Iowa is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,096 in student loans.After graduating from Iowa Wesleyan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,472 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Briar Cliff University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Schools in Iowa ranking. Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 19 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,123 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Briar Cliff graduates make an average of $46,310 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
With a ranking of #25, Luther College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working. Located in Decorah, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,246 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $283, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Luther graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,469 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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