Best Online Colleges in Iowa 2023
Find the best online colleges in Iowa ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.
Top 10 Online Colleges in Iowa
Key Takeaways
- Iowa has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S.
- Despite the slip in numbers on a year-to-year comparison, Iowa showed strong enrollment rates in degree-granting academic institutions during the pandemic.
- Iowa’s public 4-year institutions, online colleges and universities included, show a lower cost of attendance than the national average.
Featured Programs
Popular Online Programs in Iowa
In the Fall of 2020, Iowa reported 208,220 students enrolled in degree-granting academic institutions, indicating one of America’s highest enrollment rates amid the pandemic.
The best online colleges in Iowa provide a variety of academic programs in in-demand fields of study, including healthcare, engineering, business administration, and education.
Here are the most popular online programs offered in Iowa:
Business Administration
Undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration are common in most online colleges and universities in Iowa. Distance learners gain foundational knowledge in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and other key areas of business administration.
While most courses are completed online, some online schools require in-person attendance, like internships.
Social Sciences
Social science-related academic programs include psychology and social work, training distance learners to become knowledgeable and skilled in the education and healthcare sectors. Online students may complete courses in secondary education, counseling, and childhood development.
A variety of social sciences online programs in Iowa can lead to licensure and certification in different areas of specialization.
Communication
Online academic programs in communication enhance students’ communication skills, a highly-valued skill in many professions. Distance learners pursuing this program are trained on how to speak and write professionally.
A variety of specializations are also offered by many online colleges and universities in Iowa, including broadcasting, sports communication, and field reporting.
Engineering
Thanks to Iowa’s manufacturing industries, engineering graduates enjoy a variety of career opportunities in the state. Although engineering is an academic path itself, Iowa’s online schools offer different specializations in the field, including civil, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and chemical engineering.
Engineering degree-holders can find work in the local, federal, and regional government.
Out-of-State Tuition Discounts in Iowa
Aspiring students can save on tuition expenses and other fees by applying to schools in their home state. As an overview, here are the tuition rates for undergraduate programs in different degree-granting schools in Iowa:
- Public 4-Year Institution
- $19,788 (In-State)
- $27,684 (Out-of-State)
- Public 2-Year Institution
- $5,411 (In-State)
- $6,844 (Out-of-State)
Online colleges and universities in Iowa have 5.83% less than the national average cost of attendance at a public 4-year institution.
- Private 4-Year Institution
- $45,382 (In-State)
Given the significant difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, students can qualify for in-state tuition in Iowa.
To become eligible, they must provide proof that they have resided in the state for at least 12 months for reasons other than schooling. Students can either provide a driver’s license, income tax returns, or employment records to demonstrate their residency in Iowa.
Out-of-state students living in a state that is a member of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact can also be qualified to receive discounted tuition rates from Iowa colleges and universities.
Some schools in Iowa offer flat-rate tuition fees, which means that both in-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition fees. Distance learners must verify first with their prospective schools regarding detailed information about residency requirements.
As Iowa has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., with just 2.9% in October 2022, college graduates enjoy job opportunities that match their skills.
Accreditation in Iowa
Determining the accreditation status of an online college or university you’re planning to enroll in is crucial. Accreditation ensures that students’ academic credits are eligible to receive financial aid.
Additionally, it indicates that specific standards of professional and academic quality are met.
The most reputable accreditation for the majority of online programs in the U.S. is granted by regional accrediting agencies. Iowa’s regional accrediting agency is The Higher Learning Commission.
It is the same accrediting agency responsible for accrediting online schools for undergraduate and graduate programs in Wyoming, West Virginia, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, New Mexico, Nebraska, North Dakota, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, and Arkansas.
Colleges and Universities in Iowa
With a large number of both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Iowa, students have plenty of great schools to choose from.
Iowa’s largest public university, Iowa State University, serves over 30,000 students and offers extra flexibility for both undergraduate and graduate students through a selection of online degree programs in more than 50 academic fields including business administration, psychology, computer science, and more.
The University of Iowa-home of the Hawkeyes-is also home to some of the nation’s top programs in literature, philosophy, and law. The University of Iowa has also been at the forefront of higher education, starting the nation’s first co-educational medical school, as well as being the first public school to grant a law degree to a woman, Mary B. Hickey Wilkinson, in 1873.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
For prospective students hoping to obtain their degrees at a smaller school, Iowa offers over 40 options to choose from. For a more affordable option, students can pay $4,000 per year for tuition at Indian Hills Community College. Like most community colleges in Georgia, Indian Hills also offers an array of online programs.
At the other end of the spectrum, students will pay up to $52,000 for an academic year at Grinnell College. Furthermore, nearly half of the schools in Iowa are religiously affiliated.
Iowa is often recognized for its agriculture as it produces the most pork and corn in the nation. Equally noteworthy is Iowa’s wealth of one-of-a-kind roadside attractions. From the largest wooden nickel, to the crookedest street, to the Grotto of Redemption, The Hawkeye State is full of wonders. Students in search of curiosities and oddities while earning a degree can attend one of Iowa’s public or private colleges.
Whether you’re looking to earn your associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, Iowa offers a wealth of on-campus and online learning options. Discover more about Iowa’s top brick-and-mortar and online programs as well as top career paths in the state of Iowa.
What are Iowa’s Colleges & Universities?
- 5 Research Universities
- 23 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 6 Graduate Schools
- 4 Public Colleges & Universities
- 24 Private Colleges & Universities
- 19 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 24 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 4 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 15 Community Colleges
- Best Online Colleges
Iowa’s Best Overall
Best Online Colleges in Iowa 2022
- #14 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #1 Best Colleges in Iowa 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Iowa 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
74%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/25
Online Degrees
BA in Applied Studies
Concentrations
- Creative Writing
- Human Relations
- Justice Studies
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 120-124
- Completion time: 4-6 yearsted
- Format: Online
BA in Enterprise Leadership
- Required Credits: 120-136
- Completion time: 4-6 yearsted
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
Concentrations
- Expression in Writing and Arts
- Global Studies
- Family
- Community
- and Social Support
- Health and Human Studies
- Justice and Ethics
- Organizational Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 yearsted
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120-124
- Completion time: 4-6 yearsted
- Format: Online
BS in Radiation Sciences
- Required Credits: 120-124
- Completion time: 4-6 yearsted
- Format: Online
BA in Social Work
- Required Credits: 121-132
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Sport and Recreation Management
Concentrations
- Business Studies
- Coaching and Sport Instruction
- Communications Public Relations/Journalism
- Entrepreneurship
- Event Management
- Interscholastic Athletic/Activities Administration
- Sport and Diversity
- Student-Designed
- Required Credits: 123-129
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Colleges in Iowa 2023 #2 Best Public Colleges in Iowa 2023 #2 Best Grad Schools Iowa 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
76%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/24
Online Degrees
BS in Early Childcare Education and Programming
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Small Colleges in Iowa 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 2023 #3 Best Grad Schools Iowa 2023 #3 Best Research Universities in Iowa 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
78%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/26
Online Degrees
BA in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa 2023 #3 Best Public Colleges in Iowa 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa 2023 #5 Best Colleges in Iowa 2023
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
69%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/23
Online Degrees
BAS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Managing Business and Organizations
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #8 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #4 Best Research Universities in Iowa 2023
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
54%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1022/22
Online Degrees
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Christian Colleges in Iowa 2023 #8 Best Small Colleges in Iowa 2023 #8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 2023 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
47%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1000/20
Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 141
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 108
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Christian Colleges in Iowa 2023 #10 Best Small Colleges in Iowa 2023 #10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 2023 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa 2023
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
23%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
920/18
Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Accounting
- Agribusiness
- Applied Science
- Criminal Justice
- Health Care Management
- Human Resource Management
- Human Services
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
Concentrations
- General
- Cybersecurity
- Homeland Security
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Human Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nurse
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
35%
Student body
2K
Online Degrees
BA in Ayurveda Wellness & Integrative Health
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Applied Arts & Sciences
Concentrations
- Consciousness and Human Potential
- Sustainable and Regenerative Living
- Cinematic Arts and New Media
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Cinematic Arts & New Media
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Christian Colleges in Iowa 2023 #9 Best Small Colleges in Iowa 2023 #9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 2023 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa 2023
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
51%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/20
Online Degrees
BA in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Paralegal Studies
Concentrations
- Business & Human Resource Management
- Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
64%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/22
Online Degrees
BA in Applied Management Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 24 months
- Format: Online
BA in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Accounting Management
- Cybersecurity Management
- Human Resources Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 18 months
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 2- 4 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
69%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/23
Online Degrees
BA in Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Marketing Communication
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
71%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/23
Online Degrees
BA in Early Childhood
- Required Credits: 33
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: 1.5- 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$34K
Graduation
56%
Student body
<1K
Online Degrees
BA in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Marketing
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- Required Credits: 30-34
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Operations Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BSW in Social Work
Concentrations
- Children, Youth and Families
- Behavioral Health & Addiction
- Faith-based Ministry
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Spanish
Concentrations
- Spanish for Health Care Professionals
- International Business
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
54%
Student body
2K
Online Degrees
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
32%
Student body
1K
Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Business Management
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- General Accounting
- Public Accounting
- Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Human Services
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
74%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1171/25
Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Management
- Construction Management
- Finance
- General
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems
- International Business
- Marketing
- Office Management
- Public Administration
- Required Credits: 159.5
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
60%
Student body
1K
Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Management
- Human Resource Management
- Sport Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 3.5 years
- Format: Online
BA in Religious Studies
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 2-4 years
- Format: Online
- #6 Best Small Colleges in Iowa 2023 #6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 2023 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Iowa 2023 #9 Best Colleges in Iowa 2023
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
39%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
953/20
Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- General Business
- Global
- Health Services Administration
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing
- Sports Administration
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Business Management
Concentrations
- Financial Management
- Accounting
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Communication Studies
Concentrations
- Communication Studies
- Mass Media
- and Sports Communication
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
Concentrations
- Homeland Security
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Emergency and Disaster Management
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Human Services
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Information Systems
Concentrations
- Information Systems and Security and Integration (ISSI)
- and Information Systems and Technology Management (ISTM)
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology
Concentrations
- Cyber Security and Computer Forensics (SEC)
- and Network Management (NET)
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Social Science
Concentrations
- General Social Science
- History
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120-128
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$24K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
31%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/19
Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Communications
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- Human Resource Management
- Industrial Organizational Psychology
- Management
- Project Management
- Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Communications
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
Concentrations
- Forensic Mental Health
- Forensic Psychology
- Homeland Security
- Public Relations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Fire Science Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Homeland Security
Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Occupational Safety
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Leadership
Concentrations
- Global Leadership
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Health Care Management
- Leadership Communication
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
Concentrations
- Communications
- Criminal Justice
- Fire Science
- Health Care Management
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Sport Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BA in Public Relations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
100%
Student body
<1K
Online Degrees
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Concentrations
- Medical Imaging
- Healthcare Leadership
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
58%
Student body
<1K
Online Degrees
BS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 26
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
BS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-6 years
- Format: Online
