Online learning opportunities at Iowa's colleges and universities saw an enrollment of 114,809 online students in the fall of 2013. Seven of the state's community colleges have united under the auspices of creating a learning partnership, forming the Iowa Community College Online Consortium (ICCOC). Prospective students can visit this portal for information pertaining to undergraduate degrees, financing and scholarship opportunities and to review the online courses currently being offered at any participating Iowa school.
Enrollment in Iowa's colleges and universities has been dealt the blow of high tuition costs alongside the strain of a limited amount of state funding. According to a 2011-12 College Board study, private school tuition rates are, in some cases, more than triple the cost of public school education in this state. The same study reports that two-year institutions in Iowa had some of the highest tuition costs in the country. However, tuition rates for Iowa's four-year institutions have risen less than 10% in five years for both in and out-of-state students. The ten-year, 13% increase in public school enrollment in Iowa is only six points less than the national average. This is still a 31.7% increase in enrollment since 2002.
Read on to discover if one of Iowa's online programs in higher learning is a good fit for your needs. On this site, you will also find an inclusive list of financial aid resources such as scholarships and grants offered in the state. For prospective students who are curious about Iowa's 66 degree-granting institutions' graduation rates, enrollment statistics have also been collected under the State Facts and Higher Learning pages.
Featured Online Programs
60 Colleges in Iowa
Northwestern College
Orange City, IA · Tuition & fees: $27,860
Additional Resources
Official State Links
College Savings
- IAdvisor 529: Administered by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office, with management provided by Voya Investment Management. As a 529 plan, participants' investments grow on a tax-deferred basis, and they remain tax free if the proceeds are used for education. The plan offers three investment models: by age, by risk and build your own portfolio.
- College Savings Iowa: This 529 plan is a joint effort of Vanguard Investments and Upromise, and it is open to anyone wishing to save for college. Accounts may be started with as little as $25, and contributions can be made directly or through payroll deductions with free enrollment. Fees are fixed at 0.28% or $2.80 per year, per $1,000 invested.
Education Nonprofits
- Iowa College Access Network: The primary focus of this organization is to help students achieve both academic and career success. ICAN has been a part of the Iowa higher education community since its founding in 1998. ICAN seeks to bring successful, national programs to Iowa for the benefit of Iowa students.
- Iowa Campus Compact: Composed of college and University presidents committed to improving higher education and improving communities, the goal of the organization is to improve education and campus community life.
Higher Education News
- The Gazette: As part of its rich history of providing Eastern Iowans with news for more than 125 years, the Gazette's online presence includes a robust section dedicated to education.
- University of Iowa Education News: A one stop shop featuring an assortment of news and views both about and affecting Iowa education and educators.
- Iowa State Education Association News: Representing classroom teachers and licensed professional staff, ISEA, through its newsroom, provides news releases covering topics of interest to members and the larger education community.