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2023 Best Business Schools in Iowa

$42,838 Average Earnings
$26,017 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which business program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The <nil> ranking is one of many tools that Business Degree Central has developed to help you make your educational decision.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Business Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
$46,927 Average Earnings
$20,572 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Drake University to be the best school for business students in Iowa.

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.

Read full report on Drake University

#2

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
$50,430 Average Earnings
$23,563 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #2 on our list.

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.After graduating from Iowa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,430 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Iowa Report

#3

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
$48,142 Average Earnings
$23,598 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 26 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the # 3 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $23,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $257.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.

Read full report on Iowa State University

#4

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
$40,810 Average Earnings
$22,939 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Northern Iowa is a great place for business students.

On average, students take out $22,939 in loans while pursuing 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.After graduating from UNI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,810 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Northern Iowa Report

#5

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
$35,469 Average Earnings
$25,246 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 26 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Luther College landed the # 5 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,246 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $283. Once they receive their degree, Luther graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,469 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Luther College

#6

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa
$41,402 Average Earnings
$26,958 Avg Student Debt

Simpson College ranked #6 on this year’s list.

Degree recipients from Simpson College accumulate an average of $26,958 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Simpson College graduates make an average of $41,402 annually.

Full Simpson College Report

#7

Morningside College

Sioux City, Iowa
$51,189 Average Earnings
$26,099 Avg Student Debt

Morningside College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

Degree recipients from Morningside accumulate an average of $26,099 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 $208.After graduating from Morningside, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,189 during the early years of their career.

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#8

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
$50,094 Average Earnings
$27,244 Avg Student Debt

Saint Ambrose University ranked #8 on this year’s list.

On average, students take out $27,244 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $401. During the early years of their career, St. Ambrose University graduates make an average of $50,094 annually.

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#9

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa
$48,809 Average Earnings

Dordt University ranked #9 on this year’s list.

Once they receive their degree, Dordt graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,809 during the early year of their career.

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#10

Loras College

Dubuque, Iowa
$39,708 Average Earnings
$21,552 Avg Student Debt

Loras College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

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.

Read full report on Loras College

$37,576 Average Earnings
$16,577 Avg Student Debt

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #11 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,577 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $64. Once they receive their degree, DMACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,576 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Des Moines Area Community College

#12

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
$45,288 Average Earnings
$34,092 Avg Student Debt

Upper Iowa University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #12 on the list.

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.

Read full report on Upper Iowa University

#13

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, Iowa
$38,214 Average Earnings
$31,426 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Buena Vista University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,426 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, BVU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,214 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#14

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$38,090 Average Earnings
$19,882 Avg Student Debt

Kirkwood Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

Degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College accumulate an average of $19,882 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Kirkwood Community College graduates make an average of $38,090 annually.

Read full report on Kirkwood Community College

#15

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$36,874 Average Earnings
$25,555 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Coe College did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,555 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $338. Once they receive their degree, Coe graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,874 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#16

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
$39,475 Average Earnings
$29,831 Avg Student Debt

Grand View University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

On average, students take out $29,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $196, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Grand View University graduates make an average of $39,475 annually.

Read full report on Grand View University

#17

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, Iowa
$40,171 Average Earnings
$32,765 Avg Student Debt

William Penn University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,765 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $187, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, William Penn University graduates make an average of $40,171 annually.

Read full report on William Penn University

#18

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
$39,274 Average Earnings
$28,068 Avg Student Debt

University of Dubuque ranked #18 on this year’s list.

On average, students take out $28,068 in loans while pursuing 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.

Full University of Dubuque Report

#19

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$45,158 Average Earnings
$29,114 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Mount Mercy University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

On average, students take out $29,114 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $289, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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.

Read full report on Mount Mercy University

$31,155 Average Earnings
$14,142 Avg Student Debt

Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $14,142 in loans while pursuing their degree.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.

Read full report on Western Iowa Tech Community College

#21

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa
$46,310 Average Earnings
$23,123 Avg Student Debt

Briar Cliff University landed the #21 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

Degree recipients from Briar Cliff accumulate an average of $23,123 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Briar Cliff graduates make an average of $46,310 annually.

Full Briar Cliff University Report

$54,336 Average Earnings
$27,121 Avg Student Debt

Graceland University - Lamoni ranked #22 on this year’s list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,121 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $180. Once they receive their degree, Graceland Lamoni graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,336 during the early year of their career.

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$36,089 Average Earnings
$15,283 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Iowa Community College landed the #23 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,283 in student loans.After graduating from NICC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,089 during the early years of their career.

Full Northeast Iowa Community College Report

#24

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
$52,483 Average Earnings
$26,000 Avg Student Debt

Waldorf University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,000 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Waldorf graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,483 during the early year of their career.

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$34,739 Average Earnings
$14,500 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Southwestern Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,500 in student loans.After graduating from SWCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,739 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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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