1
La James College of Hairstyling and CosmetologyMason City, IA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $4,522
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $3,738
- Median debt
- $6,930
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $20,024
- Enrollment
- 56
State cost ranking · DOE College Scorecard
Cheapest Colleges in Iowa
Private campuses outnumber public ones on this Iowa list (49 vs 19); La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology still leads on average net price at $4,522.
- $4,522
- Cheapest net price
- $17,813
- Iowa median
- 68
- Schools ranked
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology has the lowest average net price in Iowa among Scorecard reporters
According to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology posts the lowest average net price in Iowa at $4,522 among 68 ranked schools, with the state median 4% above the $17,124 national median. Net price is what students paid after grant aid, not sticker tuition, and can reflect a narrow enrollment mix at specialty schools.
Data source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Cheapest net price
- $4,522
- Iowa median
- $17,813
- Schools ranked
- 68
- National median
- $17,124
Data updated August 2026 · IPEDS 2022–23 vintage
The list in one line
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology has the lowest average net price in Iowa at $4,522/year, and the state's median net price is 4% above the $17,124 national median across 4,965 schools.
- $4,522
- cheapest ranked net price
- $17,813
- Iowa median net price
- 19 public / 49 private
- schools in this ranking
- $15,420
- avg net price, <$30K income families
Average net price blends every income bracket; families under $30k average $15,420 here. Loans are excluded, open a school profile for the bracket table before treating one average as a personal cost.
Sticker tuition and real net price diverge most at Grinnell College, where in-state published tuition of $68,106 falls to an average net price of $17,648 after aid, a $50,458 gap, the widest sticker-to-net gap among ranked Iowa schools.
Private campuses outnumber public ones here (49 vs 19). A low figure at a small religious or specialty school can reflect a narrow enrollment mix, check sector and enrollment beside the price.
The bar to make this top-25 list is $14,824. Here is where that cutoff sits among all 68 Scorecard-reporting Iowa schools:
The bar to make Iowa's top-25 cheapest list
Average net price after aid · 68 Scorecard-reporting schools
$14,824 Among the most affordable more affordable than 63% of 68 Iowa colleges
Show national distribution
Each bar is a $5K-wide band; taller bars hold more Iowa colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · 2022–23
Iowa's 25 cheapest colleges by real net price
2
Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit LakeSpirit Lake, IA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $5,508
- Net price (<$30K income)
- -
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $20,200
- Enrollment
- 22
3
Marshalltown Community CollegeMarshalltown, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $8,059
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $6,393
- Median debt
- $9,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $36,574
- Enrollment
- 1,857
4
Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $8,770
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,662
- Median debt
- $11,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $35,639
- Enrollment
- 5,482
5
Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $9,328
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,837
- Median debt
- $11,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $35,830
- Enrollment
- 4,949
6
Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $9,649
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,443
- Median debt
- $12,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $39,099
- Enrollment
- 5,120
7
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $9,705
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $6,967
- Median debt
- $12,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $37,525
- Enrollment
- 12,763
8
Southwestern Community CollegeCreston, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $9,871
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $7,137
- Median debt
- $10,975
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $36,878
- Enrollment
- 1,566
9
North Iowa Area Community CollegeMason City, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $10,010
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $8,471
- Median debt
- $9,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $39,491
- Enrollment
- 2,662
10
Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwa, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $10,693
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $9,561
- Median debt
- $10,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $38,540
- Enrollment
- 3,184
11
Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $11,171
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $9,132
- Median debt
- $11,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $39,349
- Enrollment
- 23,697
12
Northeast Iowa Community CollegeCalmar, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $11,272
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $9,137
- Median debt
- $12,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $38,805
- Enrollment
- 4,808
13
Ellsworth Community CollegeIowa Falls, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $11,451
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $9,121
- Median debt
- $10,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $31,739
- Enrollment
- 685
14
American Hair AcademyMt. Pleasant, IA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $11,556
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $11,556
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $17,836
- Enrollment
- 25
15
The Salon Professional Academy-Cedar FallsCedar Falls, IA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $11,742
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $11,221
- Median debt
- $12,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $10,696
- Enrollment
- 91
16
Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $12,347
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $11,012
- Median debt
- $12,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $34,355
- Enrollment
- 3,028
17
Iowa School of Beauty-Des MoinesDes Moines, IA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $12,673
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $11,214
- Median debt
- $6,333
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $25,884
- Enrollment
- 74
18
Emmaus Bible CollegeDubuque, IA · Private nonprofit
- Avg net price
- $13,186
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $11,199
- Median debt
- $15,750
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $34,653
- Enrollment
- 234
19
SOHO Hair AcademyCouncil Bluffs, IA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $13,198
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $10,949
- Median debt
- $9,425
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $26,909
- Enrollment
- 66
20
Iowa Lakes Community CollegeEstherville, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $13,933
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $11,420
- Median debt
- $12,000
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $37,209
- Enrollment
- 1,945
21
Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $14,017
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $11,841
- Median debt
- $12,739
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $34,717
- Enrollment
- 7,426
22
Carlson College of Massage TherapyAnamosa, IA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $14,141
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $12,844
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- -
- Enrollment
- 39
23
Iowa Western Community CollegeCouncil Bluffs, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $14,629
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $13,099
- Median debt
- $11,033
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $35,628
- Enrollment
- 5,540
24
Northwest Iowa Community CollegeSheldon, IA · Public
- Avg net price
- $14,800
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $10,368
- Median debt
- $9,500
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $49,635
- Enrollment
- 1,907
25
La James International College-Ft DodgeFort Dodge, IA · Private for-profit
- Avg net price
- $14,824
- Net price (<$30K income)
- $13,765
- Median debt
- -
- Median earnings, 6yr
- $20,209
- Enrollment
- 22
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La James College of Hairstyling and CosmetologyMason City, IA · Private for-profit | $4,52290% of the leader · rank #1 | $3,738 | $6,930 | $20,024 | 56 |
| 2 | Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit LakeSpirit Lake, IA · Private for-profit | $5,50888% of the leader · rank #2 | - | - | $20,200 | 22 |
| 3 | Marshalltown Community CollegeMarshalltown, IA · Public | $8,05982% of the leader · rank #3 | $6,393 | $9,500 | $36,574 | 1,857 |
| 4 | Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City, IA · Public | $8,77081% of the leader · rank #4 | $7,662 | $11,000 | $35,639 | 5,482 |
| 5 | Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge, IA · Public | $9,32879% of the leader · rank #5 | $7,837 | $11,000 | $35,830 | 4,949 |
| 6 | Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo, IA · Public | $9,64979% of the leader · rank #6 | $7,443 | $12,000 | $39,099 | 5,120 |
| 7 | Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids, IA · Public | $9,70578% of the leader · rank #7 | $6,967 | $12,000 | $37,525 | 12,763 |
| 8 | Southwestern Community CollegeCreston, IA · Public | $9,87178% of the leader · rank #8 | $7,137 | $10,975 | $36,878 | 1,566 |
| 9 | North Iowa Area Community CollegeMason City, IA · Public | $10,01078% of the leader · rank #9 | $8,471 | $9,500 | $39,491 | 2,662 |
| 10 | Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwa, IA · Public | $10,69376% of the leader · rank #10 | $9,561 | $10,500 | $38,540 | 3,184 |
| 11 | Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA · Public | $11,17175% of the leader · rank #11 | $9,132 | $11,000 | $39,349 | 23,697 |
| 12 | Northeast Iowa Community CollegeCalmar, IA · Public | $11,27275% of the leader · rank #12 | $9,137 | $12,000 | $38,805 | 4,808 |
| 13 | Ellsworth Community CollegeIowa Falls, IA · Public | $11,45175% of the leader · rank #13 | $9,121 | $10,000 | $31,739 | 685 |
| 14 | American Hair AcademyMt. Pleasant, IA · Private for-profit | $11,55674% of the leader · rank #14 | $11,556 | - | $17,836 | 25 |
| 15 | The Salon Professional Academy-Cedar FallsCedar Falls, IA · Private for-profit | $11,74274% of the leader · rank #15 | $11,221 | $12,500 | $10,696 | 91 |
| 16 | Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington, IA · Public | $12,34773% of the leader · rank #16 | $11,012 | $12,000 | $34,355 | 3,028 |
| 17 | Iowa School of Beauty-Des MoinesDes Moines, IA · Private for-profit | $12,67372% of the leader · rank #17 | $11,214 | $6,333 | $25,884 | 74 |
| 18 | Emmaus Bible CollegeDubuque, IA · Private nonprofit | $13,18671% of the leader · rank #18 | $11,199 | $15,750 | $34,653 | 234 |
| 19 | SOHO Hair AcademyCouncil Bluffs, IA · Private for-profit | $13,19871% of the leader · rank #19 | $10,949 | $9,425 | $26,909 | 66 |
| 20 | Iowa Lakes Community CollegeEstherville, IA · Public | $13,93369% of the leader · rank #20 | $11,420 | $12,000 | $37,209 | 1,945 |
| 21 | Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport, IA · Public | $14,01769% of the leader · rank #21 | $11,841 | $12,739 | $34,717 | 7,426 |
| 22 | Carlson College of Massage TherapyAnamosa, IA · Private for-profit | $14,14169% of the leader · rank #22 | $12,844 | - | - | 39 |
| 23 | Iowa Western Community CollegeCouncil Bluffs, IA · Public | $14,62967% of the leader · rank #23 | $13,099 | $11,033 | $35,628 | 5,540 |
| 24 | Northwest Iowa Community CollegeSheldon, IA · Public | $14,80067% of the leader · rank #24 | $10,368 | $9,500 | $49,635 | 1,907 |
| 25 | La James International College-Ft DodgeFort Dodge, IA · Private for-profit | $14,82467% of the leader · rank #25 | $13,765 | - | $20,209 | 22 |
Showing the 25 cheapest of 68 Scorecard-reporting Iowa schools. The remaining 43 are ranked in the same net-price order but omitted from this HTML table so the page stays crawlable.
Look up any institution's exact rank via My School Profile, or open its school page for income-bracket net price, debt, and earnings.
What this means for you
Use Iowa's ranking as a starting point, real net price depends on your specific financial-aid package.
- La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology reports the lowest average net price in Iowa, but "average" blends every income bracket, check your bracket's figure before assuming it applies to you. View La James College
- See your specific school's in-state cost rank and nearest-price peers. My School Profile
- Compare campus safety alongside cost before deciding. Iowa safety
Figures reflect the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23 release.
Average net price = the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, excluding loans. Only schools with a reported average net price in the DOE College Scorecard dataset are ranked. This page lists the 25 cheapest; the title count is the full Scorecard-reporting cohort for Iowa. Schools with fewer than 10 net-price-reporting institutions in a state or territory are not given a dedicated ranking page.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23
Every figure on PlainCampus is rendered directly from federal Clery Act source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Every ranked figure on this page is queried directly from the DOE College Scorecard dataset at request time; no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
PlainCampus is for informational purposes only and does not constitute safety, security, legal, or enrollment advice; the data describes reported on-campus activity, it is not a complete picture of safety at any campus and cannot predict any individual student's experience. See our appropriate use guidance.