Cheapest Allied Health Diagnostic Colleges in Iowa

The University of Northern Iowa stands out as the most affordable option for Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions in Iowa, with a net price of just $14,609. This represents remarkable value considering graduates earn a median of $37,568, creating a strong return on investment for students entering Iowa's healthcare sector. The state's 15 programs show a dramatic cost range from $14,609 to $30,042, with public universities offering significantly lower costs than private institutions. Iowa's growing healthcare infrastructure, supported by major employers like Principal Financial's employee health services and expanding rural health networks, creates steady demand for diagnostic and treatment professionals. The University of Iowa produces the highest-earning graduates at $50,022 annually, though at a higher net cost of $21,398. Several private colleges like Graceland University offer programs under $16,000, making quality allied health education accessible across different institutional types and geographic regions throughout Iowa.

Programs

$14,609 – $30,042

Net Price Range

$36,783

Avg. Program Earnings

61.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa	$14,609	$9,728	68.9%	95.0%
2	Graceland University-Lamoni Lamoni, Iowa	$15,975	$33,220	38.3%	74.5%
3	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
4	Buena Vista University Storm Lake, Iowa	$18,321	$40,190	47.3%	77.3%
5	Coe College Cedar Rapids, Iowa	$19,155	$52,576	59.0%
6	Clarke University Dubuque, Iowa	$20,068	$39,600	54.9%	84.8%
7	Loras College Dubuque, Iowa	$21,057	$38,298	69.9%	89.8%
8	University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa	$21,398	$10,964	73.1%	86.0%
9	Briar Cliff University Sioux City, Iowa	$21,590	$35,534	49.4%
10	Simpson College Indianola, Iowa	$22,231	$46,212	65.7%	89.1%
11	Central College Pella, Iowa	$22,353	$20,988	69.2%	79.2%
12	Upper Iowa University Fayette, Iowa	$23,172	$19,000	41.5%	54.2%
13	Northwestern College Orange City, Iowa	$23,519	$35,300	63.6%	87.3%
14	Luther College Decorah, Iowa	$25,635	$50,320	75.0%	75.3%
15	Drake University Des Moines, Iowa	$30,042	$49,944	77.3%	67.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $15,433 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public universities like University of Northern Iowa ($14,609) and Iowa State University ($18,165) benefit from state funding that dramatically reduces costs compared to private institutions. Drake University at $30,042 represents the premium end, reflecting higher operational costs at private colleges. The middle tier shows private colleges like Graceland University managing to keep costs competitive at $15,975 through efficient operations and targeted financial aid.

How do graduation rates vary across Iowa's allied health programs?

Graduation rates span from 38.3% at Graceland University to 77.3% at Drake University, showing significant variation across institutions. Public universities demonstrate strong performance with University of Iowa at 73.1% and Iowa State at 75.5%. Private colleges show mixed results, with Luther College achieving 75% while others like Upper Iowa University graduate only 41.5% of students.

Does attending the most expensive program guarantee higher earnings?

University of Iowa graduates earn the highest median salary at $50,022 despite costing $21,398, not the maximum $30,042. Central College graduates earn just $21,508 while paying $22,353, showing weak return on investment. University of Northern Iowa provides excellent value with $37,568 median earnings at the lowest cost of $14,609, demonstrating that affordable programs can deliver strong career outcomes.

Where do most Iowa allied health programs accept students?

Most Iowa programs maintain high acceptance rates, with University of Northern Iowa accepting 94.95% of applicants and Iowa State accepting 90.22%. Only Drake University and Upper Iowa University show selectivity below 70%, at 67.23% and 54.23% respectively. The generally high acceptance rates reflect strong demand for allied health professionals in Iowa's healthcare system and agricultural communities.

More Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Rankings

Best Value Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions in Iowa Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Under $20,000 in Iowa

All Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Programs Best Colleges in Iowa Best Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions in Iowa

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.