1
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology Mason 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 Lake Spirit 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 College Marshalltown, 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 College Sioux 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 College Fort 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 College Waterloo, 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 College Cedar 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 College Creston, 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 College Mason 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 College Ottumwa, 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 College Ankeny, 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 College Calmar, 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 College Iowa 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 Academy Mt. 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 Falls Cedar 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 College West 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 Moines Des 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 College Dubuque, 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 Academy Council 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 College Estherville, 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 District Davenport, 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 Therapy Anamosa, 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 College Council 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 College Sheldon, 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 Dodge Fort 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 Cosmetology Mason City, IA · Private for-profit | $4,522 90% of the leader · rank #1 | $3,738 | $6,930 | $20,024 | 56 |
| 2 | Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake Spirit Lake, IA · Private for-profit | $5,508 88% of the leader · rank #2 | - | - | $20,200 | 22 |
| 3 | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown, IA · Public | $8,059 82% of the leader · rank #3 | $6,393 | $9,500 | $36,574 | 1,857 |
| 4 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IA · Public | $8,770 81% of the leader · rank #4 | $7,662 | $11,000 | $35,639 | 5,482 |
| 5 | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IA · Public | $9,328 79% of the leader · rank #5 | $7,837 | $11,000 | $35,830 | 4,949 |
| 6 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA · Public | $9,649 79% of the leader · rank #6 | $7,443 | $12,000 | $39,099 | 5,120 |
| 7 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA · Public | $9,705 78% of the leader · rank #7 | $6,967 | $12,000 | $37,525 | 12,763 |
| 8 | Southwestern Community College Creston, IA · Public | $9,871 78% of the leader · rank #8 | $7,137 | $10,975 | $36,878 | 1,566 |
| 9 | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IA · Public | $10,010 78% of the leader · rank #9 | $8,471 | $9,500 | $39,491 | 2,662 |
| 10 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA · Public | $10,693 76% of the leader · rank #10 | $9,561 | $10,500 | $38,540 | 3,184 |
| 11 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA · Public | $11,171 75% of the leader · rank #11 | $9,132 | $11,000 | $39,349 | 23,697 |
| 12 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IA · Public | $11,272 75% of the leader · rank #12 | $9,137 | $12,000 | $38,805 | 4,808 |
| 13 | Ellsworth Community College Iowa Falls, IA · Public | $11,451 75% of the leader · rank #13 | $9,121 | $10,000 | $31,739 | 685 |
| 14 | American Hair Academy Mt. Pleasant, IA · Private for-profit | $11,556 74% of the leader · rank #14 | $11,556 | - | $17,836 | 25 |
| 15 | The Salon Professional Academy-Cedar Falls Cedar Falls, IA · Private for-profit | $11,742 74% of the leader · rank #15 | $11,221 | $12,500 | $10,696 | 91 |
| 16 | Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA · Public | $12,347 73% of the leader · rank #16 | $11,012 | $12,000 | $34,355 | 3,028 |
| 17 | Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines Des Moines, IA · Private for-profit | $12,673 72% of the leader · rank #17 | $11,214 | $6,333 | $25,884 | 74 |
| 18 | Emmaus Bible College Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofit | $13,186 71% of the leader · rank #18 | $11,199 | $15,750 | $34,653 | 234 |
| 19 | SOHO Hair Academy Council Bluffs, IA · Private for-profit | $13,198 71% of the leader · rank #19 | $10,949 | $9,425 | $26,909 | 66 |
| 20 | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville, IA · Public | $13,933 69% of the leader · rank #20 | $11,420 | $12,000 | $37,209 | 1,945 |
| 21 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA · Public | $14,017 69% of the leader · rank #21 | $11,841 | $12,739 | $34,717 | 7,426 |
| 22 | Carlson College of Massage Therapy Anamosa, IA · Private for-profit | $14,141 69% of the leader · rank #22 | $12,844 | - | - | 39 |
| 23 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA · Public | $14,629 67% of the leader · rank #23 | $13,099 | $11,033 | $35,628 | 5,540 |
| 24 | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon, IA · Public | $14,800 67% of the leader · rank #24 | $10,368 | $9,500 | $49,635 | 1,907 |
| 25 | La James International College-Ft Dodge Fort Dodge, IA · Private for-profit | $14,824 67% 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.