Iowa is heavily agricultural, with roughly half of its people living in rural areas
Some of the strongest agricultural states are in the Midwest, and Iowa is no exception. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in the area, with cattle ranches and dairy farms popular. This means plenty of work prospects, albeit in fields that don’t always necessitate a college degree. In Iowa, about 9.5% of people have graduate degrees, and the average household income is close to $60,000. If agriculture isn’t your thing, other prominent industries include technology, transportation, and renewable energy. However, with over half of the population living in rural areas, the majority of occupations in Iowa are for those without a college diploma.
Indiana offers some of the best-ranked colleges, but tuition costs vary greatly
- Population: 6,785,528
- Percentage holding advanced degrees: 9.7%
- Median household income: $55,746
With businesses like rubber and pharmaceuticals thriving in Indiana, it’s no surprise that the state’s college offerings are diverse. There are nearly 80 higher education institutions to choose from, including Notre Dame. It is not the cheapest college to attend, ranking 18th out of all national colleges, but it does provide an excellent education. Purdue University, at 51, and Indiana University, at 72, are listed among the top 100 institutions in Indiana. Both of these locations are significantly less expensive, particularly for in-state students. Enrollment is also substantially higher, with over 30,000 students admitted compared to less than 10,000 at the University of Notre Dame.