2023 Most Popular Online Schools in Iowa
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education opportunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Online Schools in Iowa ranking. This report analyzed 31 schools in Iowa to see which ones had the most popular online programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Online Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our analysis found Upper Iowa University to be the most popular school for students in Iowa. Located in Fayette, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,464 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $34,092 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,288 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Eastern Iowa Community College District is a great place for students. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a medium-sized public school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 1,261 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges accumulate an average of $18,463 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,028 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Waldorf University is a great place for students. Waldorf is located in Forest City, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 959 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Waldorf accumulate an average of $26,000 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Waldorf, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,483 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Iowa is a great place for students. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,628 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Iowa accumulate an average of $23,563 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $379. Once they receive their degree, Iowa graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,430 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Out of the 31 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. This small public school is located in West Burlington, Iowa, and it awarded 694 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,654 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Southeastern Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,945 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Iowa Lakes Community College is a public institution located in Estherville, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 342 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,230 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Iowa Lakes Community College graduates make an average of $31,031 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeast Iowa Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This small public school is located in Calmar, Iowa, and it awarded 661 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from NICC accumulate an average of $15,283 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NICC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,089 during the early year of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 1,636 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,142 in student loans.After graduating from Western Iowa Tech Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,155 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Southwestern Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in Iowa ranking. This small public school is located in Creston, Iowa, and it awarded 404 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SWCC accumulate an average of $14,500 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SWCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,739 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 387 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $15,751 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Northwest Iowa Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,199 during the early years of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
North Iowa Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Mason City, Iowa, the small public school awarded 948 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,157 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, North Iowa Area Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,111 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Ellsworth Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Iowa Falls, Iowa is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 166 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,285 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $70. During the early years of their career, Ellsworth graduates make an average of $19,895 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
With a ranking of #13, Indian Hills Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. IHCC is a public institution located in Ottumwa, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 755 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,709 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, IHCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,385 during the early year of their career. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in Iowa list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fairly large public school awarded 2,300 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,882 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Kirkwood Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,090 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
St Luke’s College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. St Luke’s College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 113 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,674 in student loans.After graduating from St Luke’s College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,066 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
Iowa Wesleyan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. Iowa Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 164 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Iowa Wesleyan accumulate an average of $27,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Iowa Wesleyan graduates make an average of $48,472 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Graceland University - Lamoni came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in Iowa ranking. Graceland Lamoni is located in Lamoni, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 518 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,121 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $180 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Graceland Lamoni, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,336 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Northwestern College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Orange City, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 388 degrees in 2020-2021.
After graduating from NWC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,021 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
With a ranking of #19, Morningside College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 614 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,099 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208.After graduating from Morningside, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,189 during the early years of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
Buena Vista University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Storm Lake, Iowa, and it awarded 567 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from BVU accumulate an average of $31,426 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, BVU graduates make an average of $38,214 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Mercy College of Health Sciences ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in Iowa list. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 424 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Mercy College of Health Sciences accumulate an average of $29,657 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $330 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Mercy College of Health Sciences, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,534 during the early years of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
Briar Cliff University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in Iowa ranking. Briar Cliff is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 281 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Briar Cliff accumulate an average of $23,123 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Briar Cliff, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,310 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
With a ranking of #23, Allen College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Waterloo, Iowa is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 276 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $32,608 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $242.After graduating from Allen College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,491 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 67 degrees in 2020-2021.
Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
With a ranking of #25, William Penn University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 251 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from William Penn University accumulate an average of $32,765 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $187 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, William Penn University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,171 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region
View Most Popular Online Schools Nationwide >
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.