16 colleges · Iowa
Liberal arts and general studies colleges in Iowa
16 colleges in Iowa offer a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and general studies (3 public). Graduates of the typical program here earned $43,750 a year after graduating, compared with $42,487 nationally.
All liberal arts and general studies programs in Iowa
Sorted by earnings four years after graduation. Click a heading to sort.
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA | 2 | n/a | $63,832 | n/a |
| University of IowaIowa City, IA | 202 | $46,502 | $61,200 | $22,412 |
| Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA | 76 | $39,154 | $54,889 | $19,498 |
| University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA | 60 | $40,998 | $51,712 | $17,500 |
| Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IA | 23 | $47,504 | $49,263 | $24,207 |
| Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA | 18 | $47,373 | $46,237 | $27,000 |
| Maharishi International UniversityFairfield, IA | 33 | $23,391 | n/a | $23,505 |
| Clarke UniversityDubuque, IA | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cornell CollegeMount Vernon, IA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dordt UniversitySioux Center, IA | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids, IA | 13 | n/a | n/a | $22,895 |
| Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of DubuqueDubuque, IA | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Iowa offer liberal arts and general studies?
16 colleges in Iowa awarded bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and general studies in 2022-23 or 2023-24, 3 of them public.
Where do liberal arts and general studies graduates earn the most in Iowa?
University of Iowa, with median earnings of $61,200 four years after graduation (programs with at least 5 graduates).
Liberal arts and general studies nationwide · All colleges in Iowa
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.