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Best Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in Iowa

2023 Best Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in Iowa

15 Schools Ranked
$31,507 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,038 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Bachelor's Degree Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 15 schools in Iowa to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
592 Total Awards
$24,526 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,767 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Waldorf University the best school in Iowa for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Waldorf is located in Forest City, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 592 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $24,526 to cover tuition and fees at Waldorf. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,767 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Waldorf. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Waldorf University

#2

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
6,795 Total Awards
$10,133 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,682 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 15 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 6,795 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Iowa who attend Iowa State full time pay an average of $10,133 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $26,617. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,682 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Iowa State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Iowa State University

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
2,246 Total Awards
$9,411 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,029 Avg Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Northern Iowa helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Iowa. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 2,246 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UNI is $9,411. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,565. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UNI accumulate an average of $19,029 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UNI does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#4

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
259 Total Awards
$34,250 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,468 Avg Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Northwestern College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Iowa. Northwestern College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Orange City, Iowa that handed out 259 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $34,250 to cover tuition and fees at NWC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,468 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NWC. In fact, around 23% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#5

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
499 Total Awards
$48,160 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Luther College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Iowa list. Decorah, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 499 students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $48,160 to cover tuition and fees at Luther. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Luther does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 8% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#6

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
5,533 Total Awards
$10,353 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,787 Avg Student Debt

University of Iowa landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,533 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Students from Iowa who attend Iowa full time pay an average of $10,353 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $32,316. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Iowa accumulate an average of $21,787 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Iowa. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full University of Iowa Report

#7

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
1,004 Total Awards
$33,639 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,492 Avg Student Debt

Upper Iowa University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Iowa list. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 1,004 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend UIU, expect to pay an average of $33,639 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UIU accumulate an average of $26,492 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

UIU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Upper Iowa University

#8

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa
344 Total Awards
$34,600 Average Tuition & Fees

Dordt University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade 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 bachelor’s degrees to 344 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Dordt is $34,600. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Dordt. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 28% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Dordt University Report

281 Total Awards
$31,970 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,242 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Graceland University - Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in Lamoni, Iowa that handed out 281 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Graceland Lamoni is $31,970. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Graceland Lamoni accumulate an average of $22,242 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Graceland Lamoni. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 4% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#10

Morningside College

Sioux City, Iowa
294 Total Awards
$36,610 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,887 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Morningside College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 294 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $36,610 to cover tuition and fees at Morningside. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,887 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Morningside does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 5% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Morningside College Report

#11

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
438 Total Awards
$37,606 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,821 Avg Student Debt

Mount Mercy University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Iowa list. Mount Mercy is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 438 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Mount Mercy, expect to pay an average of $37,606 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,821 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Mount Mercy, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 25% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Mount Mercy University Report

#12

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa
183 Total Awards
$34,095 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,760 Avg Student Debt

Briar Cliff University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Iowa list. Briar Cliff is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 183 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $34,095 to cover tuition and fees at Briar Cliff. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Briar Cliff accumulate an average of $21,760 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Briar Cliff. During the 2020-2021 year, about 31% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#13

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
434 Total Awards
$50,664 Average Tuition & Fees

Coe College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Iowa list. Coe is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 434 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $50,664 to cover tuition and fees at Coe. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

Read More…

#14

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
412 Total Awards
$38,526 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,525 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, University of Dubuque did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 412 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at UD is $38,526. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,525 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UD. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 13% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#15

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa
189 Total Awards
$38,060 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,471 Avg Student Debt

Clarke University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 189 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Clarke, expect to pay an average of $38,060 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,471 in student loans.

Clarke does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Clarke University Report

Best Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 15 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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