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 analysis found University of Iowa to be the most popular school for business students in Iowa. University of Iowa is a large public school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 2,761 degrees 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.After graduating from Iowa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,430 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
The programs at Iowa State University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Iowa. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,774 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $23,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $257 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa State graduates make an average of $48,142 annually. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 720 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,939 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $172. Once they receive their degree, UNI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,810 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
The programs at Upper Iowa University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Iowa. Located in Fayette, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 606 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UIU accumulate an average of $34,092 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,288 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
The programs at Waldorf University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Iowa. Located in Forest City, Iowa, the small private for-profit school awarded 433 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Waldorf accumulate an average of $26,000 in student debt by the time they complete 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 is located in Des Moines, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 349 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $20,572 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $432 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Drake graduates make an average of $46,927 annually. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Kirkwood Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,090 during the early years of their career. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #8 on the list. Ankeny, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 279 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from DMACC accumulate an average of $16,577 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $64, assuming you 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. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Mount Mercy University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 223 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Ambrose University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. St. Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 207 degrees 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. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Dubuque landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 201 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. During the early years of their career, UD graduates make an average of $39,274 annually. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Grand View University ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 186 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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, 40% 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. Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in Sioux City, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 142 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College accumulate an average of $14,142 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,155 during the early year of their career. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
Maharishi International University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Fairfield, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 141 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, MIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $109,488 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, Buena Vista University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. BVU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Storm Lake, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 127 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from BVU accumulate an average of $31,426 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, BVU graduates make an average of $38,214 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Simpson College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianola, Iowa. It awarded 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 ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a medium-sized public school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 105 degrees in 2020-2021.
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 landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 97 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, Dordt graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,809 during the early year of their career. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.
Loras College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa list. Dubuque, 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.
Degree recipients from Loras accumulate an average of $21,552 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Loras graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,708 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.
Coe College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #20 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 89 degrees 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $338, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Coe graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,874 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa ranking. Waterloo, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 87 students 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. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Wartburg College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #22 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Waverly, Iowa, and it awarded 80 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wartburg accumulate an average of $24,201 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 $313 if they 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.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,157 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, North Iowa Area Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,111 during the early year of their career. 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.
On average, students take out $26,099 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $208 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Morningside graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,189 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 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. Of those students who received their degree, 54% 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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