According to the NCES Report, 39.7% of college students were enrolled in online education courses-the highest percentage of enrollment or attendance in any state. Despite the funding being reduced on higher education, Iowa maintains an impressive graduation rate overall. Distance learning in the state has been strengthened in recent years by the establishment of the Iowa Community College Online Consortium, a partnership of seven state academic institutions.
The Iowa Distance Learning Association provides grants and awards for online degree programs in professional development and conducts a bi-yearly Symposium facilitated by creators and leaders in the field of online learning.
Moreover, the ICCOC has a team of professors available to support distance learners in their online education journey as well as a digital platform of textbooks and other learning resources in a given semester. The Iowa Communications Network offers 16 online learning regions with video conferencing hubs. These platforms provide distance learners with phone services, high-speed internet connectivity, and data on academic institutions, state and federal government, libraries, and hospitals. With these online education initiatives, it is evident that Iowa has adapted distance learning as a powerful platform in developing a strong workforce and a stable economy.
The state of Iowa offers several distance learning programs in a variety of fields of interest, including criminal justice, business administration, education, sports administration, and public administration. Organizational leadership is one of the leading areas of study in Iowa. Online education through numerous Iowa educational institutions is suitable for adults who have busy lives. These schools have been placed under extensive research, with several factors considered, to deliver high-quality learning for prospective students planning to earn a degree online.
METHODOLOGY
Nothing could be more important to a prospective college student than finding the best-rated online school to attend. Hawkeye State has a lot to offer, but these 5 Top Online Schools in Iowa stand out because of their academic features that demonstrate their commitment to shaping the best and most competent professionals. The staff and researchers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com considered these factors to come up with our list:
- A top-quality virtual learning platform through which students can access their coursework with ease,
- Highly skilled and experienced online teachers who, in one way or another, have contributed to their fields of expertise,
- A well-balanced student-teacher ratio to promote a more personalized approach to online education,
- Full accreditation from organizations that uphold high academic quality in online and traditional colleges.
Learn more about our ranking process by visiting our Methodology Page.
Buena Vista University
Buena Vista University is a private, Presbyterian-centered educational institution that has 42 undergraduate programs. The university offers a wide variety of online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of its undergraduate online degree programs are aligned toward incoming first-year students who have never enrolled in a college-level set of coursework, while some are specifically designed for students who have earned an associate degree or have taken college-level courses and want to receive a bachelor’s degree. BVU’s online degree programs are in an 8-week course schedule and have multiple start dates throughout the academic year. BVU’s majors include accounting, applied sciences, applied management, business administration, criminal justice, general education, banking & finance, health & human services, psychology, marketing, and management.
The majority of the online undergraduate degree programs require 40 to 60-credit hours of significant coursework plus the general education requirements. Human Services programs must have 42-credit hours; criminology, and criminal justice needs 48-credit hours, and business programs require 55-credit hours for completion. Some online degree programs have optional or mandatory internship programs. The Health Services Leadership program has a voluntary internship program; however, the university encourages students to take it. BVU’s master’s degree programs require 30 to 51-credit hours and generally take up to two years or less to obtain.
Residency requirements do not affect tuition fees and expenses. The undergraduate programs have $436 per credit hour across all areas of study, while the graduate programs vary per degree.
Location: Storm Lake, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcript of Records
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Iowa State University
Iowa State University is the largest university in the state. It is one of the many accredited distance learning institutions in Iowa that offer several online degree programs, including three undergraduate programs, two undergraduate certificate programs, and over 30 graduate and certificate programs. The university is a member of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance, a partnership of 19 public universities that enables students to obtain high-quality online degrees by enrolling courses from multiple academic institutions. Also, distance learners may enroll in degrees or certificates that their home university is not able to deliver alone. One of the examples made possible by the GPIDEA program of Iowa State is the Early Childcare Education and Programming. The program requires 120-credit hours of coursework and three practicum opportunities. Online learning majors include human sciences, engineering, agricultural & life sciences, veterinarian sciences, business, design, and liberal arts & sciences.
The Iowa State University’s colleges with the most online graduate offerings include the College of Human Sciences, College of Engineering, and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The length of the program and completion requirements vary per degree. As an example, the master’s degree in Computer Engineering program requires a minimum of 30-credit hours. The program can be obtained in five years or less, depending on the timeframe and pace of learning.
The standard tuition for an online course costs $323/credit hour for undergraduate distance learners and $517/credit hour for graduate students. Tuition and Fees differ per program. Some programs allow students to receive in-state tuition fees regardless of residency status. All GPIDEA degree offerings are at a standard price per credit that is a bit higher than IAState’s standard tuition rates.
Location: Ames, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official ACT or SAT Test Scores
- GPA of 2.0
- GED Test Score
- Minimum High School Course Requirements in Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts, and Mathematics
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is considered the oldest university in Iowa and is widely known as Iowa’s flagship public educational institution. The university offers 29 different online degree programs or certifications and more than 600 online courses. All online programs have multiple start dates during fall, spring, or summer semesters. For prospective students who want to have an on-site classroom experience for a change, they may wish to enroll and take courses at the Cedar Rapids or Des Moines campus locations. The majors offered by U of I includes applied studies, writing & English, liberal studies, leadership studies, science & math, nursing, management, and political science.
Program requirements for completion and length depend on the degree or certificate, student’s availability, and course level. The online Bachelor of Liberal Studies needs 120-credit hours. Students must choose a degree according to their interest and verify specific requirements in obtaining that degree as well as the program duration it takes to earn. Distance learners can take an online set of coursework from the University of Iowa without enrolling in a program as a non-degree student.
Tuition Fees vary per online degree programs and the number of credit hours. The university has a flat-rate tuition fee of $324/credit hour for its undergraduate students, while graduate programs cost $544/credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students. However, some programs have higher tuition rates and fees.
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- $40 Non-Refundable Application Fee
- Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Briar Cliff University
Briar Cliff University is a private Franciscan academic institution with a focus on liberal arts studies. In addition to its 30 undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs, Briar Cliff offers online bachelor’s degree programs for prospective students who want to earn a degree without leaving the comforts of their homes. The majority of these baccalaureate programs require at least an associate degree or several previous college credits as a prerequisite requirement. Students may transfer a maximum of 90 hours of coursework from previous colleges and universities. On the other hand, students who hold an associate degree can transfer 62-credit hours toward the completion of the bachelor’s degree program. Most programs have start dates only during the fall season. Online degree areas of study facilitated by Briar Cliff include arts, accounting, criminal justice, social work, RN-to-BSN, and dentistry.
Briar Cliff University is a proud member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, an organization dedicated to providing students the education they need across state lines and grants degrees to distance learners in all NC-SARA member states.
Online degree programs differ in length and program completion requirements. The popular business administration and accounting programs both require 39-credit hours for completion, while the RN-to-BSN program needs 30 to 34-credit hours and can be generally be obtained in two years.
Tuition Cost of a majority of the undergraduate programs is at $415/credit hour with $38/credit in fees. The university has a wide range of financial aid programs to assist its students in the cost and expense of their education. Also, employees of certain healthcare facilities who want to study at Briar Cliff for the RN-to-BSN degree program enjoy discounted tuition rates due to partnerships.
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- GPA of 2.0
- ACT or SAT scores
- Official Transcript of Records
- $75 Enrollment Deposit
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University is a private educational institution that offers more than 40 areas of study in its academic degree programs. Also, the university offers a wide variety of online degree programs. Their online offerings include fields of accounting, criminal justice, general business, graphic design, liberal arts, psychology, and sociology. Upper Iowa is an excellent option for prospective students who are exploring distance learning opportunities, allowing them to choose from UIU’s associate, bachelor’s, master’s, undergraduate, and graduate certificate programs.
Upper Iowa University offers two delivery formats among its degree programs, namely online classroom or web-based self-paced courses. Also, the university provides paper-based or email-based self-paced learning formats for students interested in online education that do not require internet connectivity. Upper Iowa’s online classroom is hosted through an interactive online platform with weekly deadlines, allowing students to participate four days per week. Courses are eight weeks in duration with six start dates per academic year. The web-based self-paced learning format offers a one-on-one environment, enabling students to study at their own pace. It may take six months to complete a course, and students can enroll at any time during the academic year. The courses are in an asynchronous format with flexible deadlines and no minimal weekly participation requirement.
Either of the learning formats could be suitable options for distance learning, allowing students to choose the type of learning environment that works best for them.
Location: Fayette, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Successful Completion of a GED Equivalent
- Graduation from a Regionally-accredited and State-recognized high school institution
- GPA 2.0Official Transcript of Records
- CLEP or DSST Scores
- $50 Application Fee
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
If you want to qualify for a selection of lucrative and rewarding career opportunities, obtaining a college degree is crucial. When choosing where and what you want to study, you may need to compare both in-state and out-of-state schools. If you are a resident of Iowa, there are several advantages to enrolling in schools in your home state. Choosing a school close to home can help you qualify for in-state tuition and help you establish a network of regional professional acquaintances. Also, you can benefit from your chosen school’s name recognition on the local job market, and you will be economically nearby if you need to visit the campus on rare occasions.
In-state and out-of-state tuition fees differ by academic institutions, with some schools featuring flat-rate tuition fees for all students. When prospective students consider a college or university in Iowa, they must consider residency status, researching extensively for tuition rates at each prospective school to make sure they can afford tuition expenses without further problems.
Distance learners in Iowa can benefit from the Iowa Community College Online Consortium. This organization provides distance learners with relevant resources and information to help in their online education — the consortium partners with numerous colleges in Iowa.
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact is developed to enhance post-secondary education through the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), providing affordable opportunities for prospective students interested in enrolling out-of-state colleges. Over 100 colleges in Iowa, North Dakota, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri advocate MSEP programs by providing cheaper opportunities for out-of-state distance learners.
METHODOLOGY
Is the rising tuition rate a pressing issue among college students? The answer, of course, is a resounding “yes”—however, these 5 Best Value Online Schools in Iowa prove that high-quality college education doesn’t have to be ridiculously expensive. Our list showcases the state’s cheapest online colleges that offer high-quality instruction and training to students, and consistently produce quality graduates.
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa offers several undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs across various disciplinary colleges. Some of the programs are completed entirely online, while others are hybrid programs with very minimal on-site attendance requirement. Undergraduate students can choose from the 2+2 Elementary Education (BA), Criminal Justice (BAS), or Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS). Graduate students have more options to choose from, ranging from different areas of study such as business, criminal justice, emergency services, education, liberal arts, management, and technology.
The majority of these online degree programs have start dates in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. However, several programs have open enrollment programs, allowing students to enroll any time during the academic year. The university has a guided independent study set of coursework that enables distance learners to work at their own pace and schedule, allowing them up to nine months for course completion. Guided independent study course tuition rates are the same regardless of residency status and course level, amounting to $253/credit hour.
Tuition Fees for distance learners at UNI are $320/credit hour for undergraduates and $509/credit hour for graduates. Non-resident distance learners may have a higher cost of education and must be discussed extensively with program advisers.
The program duration and completion requirements vary per specific degree and course level. The format may also depend on the particular program. Some are entirely asynchronous and self-paced, while some are cohort-based and require attendance at a specific time weekly through online interactive conferencing.
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Minimum High School Course Requirements in English, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Electives
- ACT or SAT Test Scores
- GPA of 2.0 or higher
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
William Penn University
William Penn University offers several online degrees for students who require a flexible schedule and convenience without compromising their personal and professional obligations. Students may choose from WmPenn’s online degree programs in different areas of study, including business administration, education, and social & behavioral sciences. The online courses are delivered in an asynchronous format through text-based learning materials and, discussion forums, video lectures, project-based assignments, and virtual learning environment that can be accessed anytime, anywhere for as long as there is an internet connection.
Program requirements and set of coursework differ by program. The online BA in Business Management integrates the study of the theories and concepts of economics, management, and statistics. Students must complete coursework in operations management, principles of management, accounting, marketing, and ethics, among other featured courses. Internships are not required; however, the university encourages students to pursue work experience opportunities to elevate their credentials and knowledge. The online BA in Human Services has required core courses such as psychology, kinesiology, and sociology.
Tuition Fees cost $435/credit hour on an eight-week online basis. William Penn offers several financial aid programs for students who need assistance in their cost of education. Scholarships and federal work-study programs can be applied through its financial aid information.
Location: Oskaloosa, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Admission Application
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
- Official Transcript of Records
- GED Requirements
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Des Moines Area Community College
Des Moines Area Community College has a wide variety of online offerings in areas of study such as business, management & marketing; education, public & human services; health sciences; and transfer pathways. All DMACC online degree programs are either Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS). DMACC On-Demand provides several fast-track online classes that students can take through a fast pace learning format, allowing them to complete their set of coursework as quickly as five weeks. Undergraduates can choose the Associate of Arts in Business Administration- Entrepreneurship, providing them the business skills and knowledge that will prepare them to become entrepreneurs. Aside from the business administration program, they can choose from DMACC’s 15 other online associate degree programs.
Curriculum coursework and requirements vary per program. The online accounting specialist program requires students to complete 64 credit hours and maintain a GPA of 2.0 and receive a grade of C or above in all accounting specialist coursework. Students enroll in mandatory courses including principles of accounting, financial analysis, business English, income tax accounting, and business law, among other featured courses. The online criminal justice program, on the other hand, requires 64 credit hours and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher for the completion of the program. Students take core criminal justice courses including criminology, criminal & constitutional law, survey criminal justice agencies, and introduction to criminal justice, to name a few. There are multiple start dates per academic year, and students can start on their chosen program any semester. Furthermore, an accelerated format is available for students who want to earn their degrees faster than the regular schedule.
DMACC has flat-rate tuition of $186.00 per credit hour across all their associate degree programs, making the school as one of the most cost-friendly educational institutions around Iowa.
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcript of Records
- Residency Status
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Indian Hills Community College
Indian Hills Community College has more than 250 online courses for their online degree programs and diploma programs. Prospective students who are planning to transfer to a four-year academic institution can enroll in the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science online. The Associate of Arts online is available in all entry terms, with the length of programs in eight terms or 24 months. There are only three classes per term, allowing students to earn this degree entirely online in as little as two years.
Requirements and program lengths vary per program. The online associate of arts requires students to have a minimum of 61 semester hours and a GPA of 2.0 to graduate. Students enroll in mandatory courses per term such as library and internet research, fundamentals of oral communication, art appreciation, math for liberal arts, introduction to sociology, a survey of world religions, and interpersonal interaction among other courses. Also, Indian Hills offers online associate and diploma programs in health care specialties such as Medical/Insurance Coding, Healthcare Documentation Specialist, Health Unit Coordinator, and Associate of Applied Science – Health Information Technology.
Indian Hills Community College has a set of courses through the Aviation Ground School that students may complete 100% online as part of the Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Pilot Training. However, the requirements include additional on-campus courses and flight training programs for prospective students who will continue to earn the full AAS degree program.
Tuition Fee for in-state and distance learners costs $180 per credit hour, while out-of-state and international students pay $240 per credit hour. 35% of full-time undergraduates at Indian Hills receive need-based financial aid. Moreover, the school has a team of staff of financial assistance that will readily help students keep on track while they earn their degrees from one of the best value community colleges in Iowa.
Location: Ottumwa, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official ACT or SAT Test Scores
- GPA of 2.0
- GED Test Score
- Minimum High School Course Requirements in Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts, and Mathematics
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Graceland University
Graceland University offers five bachelor’s and six master’s degree program, as well as one doctorate online degree program; enabling students to take courses from esteemed instructors and the opportunity to interact with fellow students. Undergraduates may choose from Graceland’s BA in Business Administration, BS in Nursing (RN-to-BSN), BA in Criminal Justice, BA in Online Dual Major, or BA in Organizational Leadership. All programs at Graceland are cohort-based, enabling distance learners to listen to lectures and complete assignments from anywhere while interacting with other students.
Program duration and requirements vary per online degree. The BA in Business Administration or Organizational Leadership requires 120-credit hours for completion as well as maintain a GPA of 2.0. Graceland University has six start dates per academic year, and each course is eight weeks in duration, enabling students to earn their degree in two years. Also, there is an accelerated format available for distance learners who want to earn their degrees early.
Tuition Fees vary on the type of course, level of course, and where the course is hosted. Graceland University is a proud member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Location: Lamoni, Iowa
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- GED Requirement
- Residency Status
- GPA of 2.0 or Higher
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
