2023 Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa
It's not easy to decide which business program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Business Degree Central has created the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 46 schools in Iowa to see which ones were the most popular programs for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Iowa the most popular school in Iowa for business students working on their degree. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school awarded 2,761 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,563 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $379, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Iowa graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,430 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 1,774 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans. 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. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of Northern Iowa helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Iowa. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 720 diplomas to qualifed students 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.After graduating from UNI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,810 during the early years of their career. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Upper Iowa University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. UIU is located in Fayette, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 606 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UIU accumulate an average of $34,092 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UIU graduates make an average of $45,288 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Waldorf University is a great place for business students. This small private for-profit school is located in Forest City, Iowa, and it awarded 433 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Waldorf graduates make an average of $52,483 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
Drake University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #6 on the list. Drake University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 349 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,572 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $432. During the early years of their career, Drake graduates make an average of $46,927 annually. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, Kirkwood Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. This fairly large public school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 297 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,882 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $59 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Kirkwood Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,090 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.
With a ranking of #8, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 279 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from DMACC accumulate an average of $16,577 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 $64 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DMACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,576 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Mount Mercy University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Mount Mercy is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 223 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Mount Mercy accumulate an average of $29,114 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 $289 if they 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. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 207 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
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. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Dubuque came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 201 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,068 in student loans. 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 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Grand View University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 186 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $196, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 142 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College accumulate an average of $14,142 in student debt by the time they complete 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. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
Maharishi International University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #14 on the list. Fairfield, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, MIU graduates make an average of $109,488 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Buena Vista University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. Buena Vista University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Storm Lake, Iowa that handed out 127 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $31,426 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BVU graduates make an average of $38,214 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Simpson College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Indianola, Iowa that handed out 112 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,958 in student loans. 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. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #17 on the list. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is located in Davenport, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,463 in student loans.After graduating from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,028 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Dordt University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. Sioux Center, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, Dordt graduates make an average of $48,809 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.
Loras College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #18 on the list. Loras is located in Dubuque, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 97 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $21,552 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Loras graduates make an average of $39,708 annually. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
Coe College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 89 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
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. During the early years of their career, Coe graduates make an average of $36,874 annually. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Hawkeye Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Waterloo, Iowa that handed out 87 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,679 in student loans.After graduating from Hawkeye Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,877 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Wartburg College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa ranking. Wartburg is located in Waverly, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Wartburg accumulate an average of $24,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $313, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Wartburg graduates make an average of $40,976 annually. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa ranking. North Iowa Area Community College is a small public school situated in Mason City, Iowa. It awarded 78 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,157 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, North Iowa Area Community College graduates make an average of $37,111 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Morningside College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 69 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Morningside accumulate an average of $26,099 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $208, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Morningside, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,189 during the early years of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 67 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,575 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $62, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa Central Community College graduates make an average of $39,705 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region
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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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