Best Online/Distance Learning Colleges & Programs in Iowa 2023

Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Sidharth PS

Hi readers! In this post, I’ve compiled a list of best distance learning colleges, universities, and institutes in Iowa. Here, readers will find the following details – rankings, list of distance education colleges, their address, type of institute, fees/cost, degrees and awards, distance learning majors/degrees and more.

Best Online/Distance Learning Colleges in Iowa for 2022

Rank

College

Fees/Cost

Type of Institute

Degrees & Awards

Address

1 Southeastern Community College $6,936 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 1500 West Agency Road, West Burlington, Iowa 52655-0180
2 Indian Hills Community College $7,057 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 525 Grandview Ave, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
3 Western Iowa Tech Community College $7,710 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 4647 Stone Ave, Sioux City, Iowa 51102-5199
4 Marshalltown Community College $7,834 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 3700 S Center St, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
5 North Iowa Area Community College $8,399 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 500 College Dr, Mason City, Iowa 50401
6 Southwestern Community College $8,740 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 1501 West Townline Street, Creston, Iowa 50801
7 Des Moines Area Community College $9,481 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 2006 Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, Iowa 50023-3993
8 Kirkwood Community College $9,824 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406-2068
9 Iowa Lakes Community College $9,947 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 19 S 7th St, Estherville, Iowa 51334-2295
10 Eastern Iowa Community College District $9,996 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 101 W Third Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801-1221
11 Iowa Central Community College $10,239 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501
12 Northeast Iowa Community College $10,328 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 1625 Hwy 150, Calmar, Iowa 52132-0400
13 Hawkeye Community College $10,666 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 1501 E Orange Rd, Waterloo, Iowa 50701
14 Iowa Western Community College $10,717 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 2700 College Rd, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503-1057
15 Northwest Iowa Community College $11,288 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 603 W Park St, Sheldon, Iowa 51201
16 Ellsworth Community College $11,393 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 1100 College Ave, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
17 Maharishi International University $13,341 4-year, Private not-for-profit Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 1000 N 4th St, Fairfield, Iowa 52557
18 Iowa State University $15,195 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 1750 Beardshear Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011-2103
19 University of Northern Iowa $15,760 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree 1227 W 27th St, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0005
20 University of Iowa $17,008 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 101 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1316
21 Graceland University-Lamoni $17,952 4-year, Private not-for-profit Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree 1 University Place, Lamoni, Iowa 50140
22 Buena Vista University $18,449 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 610 W 4th St, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588
23 Grand View University $19,035 4-year, Private not-for-profit Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree 1200 Grandview Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50316
24 Waldorf University $19,435 4-year, Private for-profit Less than one year certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 106 S Sixth St, Forest City, Iowa 50436-1713
25 Simpson College $20,145 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree 701 North C St, Indianola, Iowa 50125
26 Mercy College of Health Sciences $20,368 4-year, Private not-for-profit One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree 928 6th Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-1239
27 Briar Cliff University $20,437 4-year, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 3303 Rebecca Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51104
28 Upper Iowa University $20,511 4-year, Private not-for-profit Less than one year certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate 605 Washington St, Fayette, Iowa 52142-1857
29 William Penn University $20,640 4-year, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 201 Trueblood Ave, Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
30 Mount Mercy University $20,977 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 1330 Elmhurst Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402-4797
31 St Luke’s College $21,704 4-year, primarily associate’s, Private not-for-profit Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree 2720 Stone Park Blvd, Sioux City, Iowa 51104-0263
32 Morningside College $22,831 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree 1501 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, Iowa 51106-1751
33 Northwestern College $24,085 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree 101 Seventh St SW, Orange City, Iowa 51041
34 University of Dubuque $26,193 4-year, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 2000 University Ave, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
35 Saint Ambrose University $26,561 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 518 W Locust St, Davenport, Iowa 52803-2898
36 Dordt University $26,570 4-year, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 700 7th St SE, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250-1606
37 Iowa Wesleyan University $27,540 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 601 N Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641
38 Drake University $30,265 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50311-4505
39 Clarke University $34,424 4-year, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 1550 Clarke Dr, Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3198
40 Allen College NA 4-year, Private not-for-profit One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – other 1990 Heath St, Waterloo, Iowa 50703-1999
41 Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center NA 4-year, Private not-for-profit Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 3200 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50312
42 Shiloh University NA 4-year, Private not-for-profit Less than one year certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 416 D Avenue, Kalona, Iowa 52247-0846
43 Wartburg Theological Seminary NA 4-year, Private not-for-profit Master’s degree 333 Wartburg Pl, Dubuque, Iowa 52003-7769

For ranking colleges, we have used the ‘affordability’ factor. With each passing year, cost of higher-education is rising. Keeping this fact in mind, we have decided to rank institutes on the basis of cost/expenses and affordability.

Best Online/Distance Learning Programs & Majors

Here are some popular distance learning programs/majors –

    • Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
    • Agricultural and Food Products Processing
    • Agricultural Business and Management
    • Agricultural Mechanization
    • Agricultural Production Operations
    • Agricultural Public Services
    • Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other
    • Agriculture, General
    • Animal Sciences
    • Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
    • Food Science and Technology
    • International Agriculture
    • Plant Sciences
    • Soil Sciences
  1. Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

    • Area Studies
    • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
  2. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

    • Accounting and Related Services
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations
    • Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
    • Business/Commerce, General
    • Business/Corporate Communications
    • Business/Managerial Economics
    • Construction Management
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
    • Finance and Financial Management Services
    • General Sales, Merchandising, and Related Marketing Operations
    • Hospitality Administration/Management
    • Human Resources Management and Services
    • Insurance
    • International Business
    • Management Information Systems and Services
    • Management Sciences and Quantitative Methocs
    • Marketing
    • Real Estate
    • Specialized Sales, Merchandising, and Marketing Operations
    • Taxation
    • Telecommunications Management
  3. Communication Technologies/Technicians and Support Services

    • Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
    • Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other
    • Communications Technology/Technician
    • Graphic Communications
    • Communication and Media Studies
    • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
    • Journalism
    • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
    • Publishing
    • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
  4. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

    • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General
    • Computer Programming
    • Computer Science
    • Computer Software and Media Applications
    • Computer Systems Analysis
    • Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
    • Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
    • Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications
    • Data Processing
    • Information Science/Studies
  5. Construction Trades

    • Construction Trades, General
    • Construction Trades, Other
  6. Education

    • Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
    • Curriculum and Instruction
    • Education, General
    • Education, Other
    • Educational Administration and Supervision
    • Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
    • Educational/Instructional Media Design
    • International and Comparative Education
    • Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
    • Special Education and Teaching
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
    • Teaching Assistants/Aides
    • Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
  7. Engineering

    • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering
    • Agricultural Engineering
    • Architectural Engineering
    • Biochemical Engineering
    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering
    • Biomedical/Medical Engineering
    • Cermic Sciences and Engineering
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Computer Engineering
    • Construction Engineering
    • Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
    • Electromechanical Engineering
    • Engineering Chemistry
    • Engineering Mechanics
    • Engineering Physics
    • Engineering Science
    • Engineering, General
    • Engineering, Other
    • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
    • Forest Engineering
    • Geological Engineering
    • Industrial Engineering
    • Manufacturing Engineering
    • Materials Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
    • Metallurgical Engineering
    • Mining and Mineral Engineering
    • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
    • Nuclear Engineering
    • Ocean Engineering
    • Operations Research
    • Paper Science and Engineering
    • Petroleum Engineering
    • Plastics Engineering
    • Surveying Engineering
    • Systems Engineering
    • Textile Sciences and Engineering
    • Architecture Engineering Technicians
    • Civil Engineering Technicians
    • Computer Engineering Technicians
    • Construction Engineering Technologies
    • Drafting Engineering Technicians
    • Electrical Engineering Technicians
    • Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technicians
    • Engineering Technicians, Other
    • Engineering Technology, General
    • Engineering-Related Fields
    • Engineering-Related Technologies
    • Environmental Control Technicians
    • Industrial Production Technicians
    • Mechanical Engineering Related Technicians
    • Mining and Petroleum Technicians
    • Nanotechnology
    • Nuclear Engineering Technicians
    • Quality Control and Safety Technicians
  8. English Language and Literature/Letters

    • English Language and Literature, General
    • English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
    • Literature
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
  9. Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

    • Apparel and Textiles
    • Family and Consumer Electronics Related Studies
    • Family and Consumer Sciences Business Services
    • Family and Consumer Sciences, General
    • Family and Consumer Sciences, Other
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services
    • Housing and Human Environments
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
    • Work and Family Studies
  10. Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

    • African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Native American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • American Sign Language
    • Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
    • Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Persian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
    • Middle Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Modern Greek Language and Literature
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Slavic, Baltic, and Albanian Languages, Literature, and Linguistics
    • South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Southeast Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Turkic, Uralic-Altaic, Caucasian, and Central Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
  11. History

    • Law
    • Legal Professions and Studies, Other
    • Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
    • Legal Support Services
    • Non-Professional General Legal Studies (UG)
  12. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities

  13. Library Science

  14. Mathematics and Statistics

    • Applied Mathematics
    • Mathematics
    • Mathematics and Statistics, Other
    • Statistics
  15. Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians

  16. Military Technologies and Applied Sciences

  17. Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

  18. Natural Resources and Conservation

    • Fishing and Fisheries Sciences Management
    • Forestry
    • Natural Resources and Conservation
    • Natural Resources and Conservation and Research
    • Natural Resources Management and Policy
    • Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
  19. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies

    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness
    • Outdoor Education
    • Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
    • Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
    • Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other
  20. Personal and Culinary Services

    • Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
    • Culinary Arts and Related Services
    • Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
    • Personal and Culinary Services, Other
  21. Philosophy and Religious Studies

    • Philosophy
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
    • Religion/Religious Studies
  22. Physical Sciences

    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
    • Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
    • Chemistry
    • Geosciences
    • Materials Sciences
    • Physical Sciences
    • Physical Sciences, Other
    • Physics
  23. Precision Production

  24. Psychology

    • Psychology, General
    • Psychology, Other
  25. Public Administration and Social Service Professions

    • Community Organization and Advocacy
    • Human Services, General
    • Public Administration
    • Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
    • Public Policy Analysis
    • Social Work
  26. Science Technologies/Technicians

  27. Social Sciences

    • Demography and Population Studies
    • Economics
    • Geography and Cartography
    • International Relations and National Security Studies
    • Political Science and Government
    • Rural Sociology
    • Social Sciences, General
    • Social Sciences, Other
    • Sociology
    • Sociology and Anthropology
    • Urban Studies/Affairs
  28. Theology and Religious Vocations

    • Bible/Biblical Studies
    • Missionary Studies
    • Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
    • Religious Education
    • Religious Music
    • Theological and Ministerial Studies
    • Theology and Religious Vocations, Other
  29. Transportation and Materials Moving

    • Transportation and Materials Moving, Other
  30. Visual and Performing Arts

    • Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
    • Design and Applied Arts
    • Fine and Studio Arts
    • Visual and Performing Arts, General
    • Visual and Performing Arts, Other

Come, let us take a close look at the admission process and requirements –

Admission Requirements

While evaluating candidates who’ve applied for admission, colleges take the following factors into consideration –

  • Secondary school GPA
  • Secondary school rank
  • Secondary school record
  • Completion of college-preparatory program
  • Formal demonstration of competencies
  • ACT/SAT test scores
  • TOEFL
  • Other relevant tests

The factors mentioned above are divided into the following groups – Admission considerations that are ‘Required/Mandatory’, admission considerations that are ‘Recommended’ and admission requirements that are ‘Considered but not required’.   Admission requirements may vary from one college to another. Most of the colleges rely on secondary school GPA, secondary school record, ACT/SAT scores and TOEFL (as mandatory considerations). Community colleges usually have an open admission policy.

Online/Distance Education Degrees

Depending upon the level of the program, Degrees or Awards can be classified into the following types –

  • Certificates
  • Associate’s Degree
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Advanced Degrees

Certificates

  • Less than one year certificate: The duration of the program is less than one year.
  • One but less than two years certificate: The duration of the course is 1 year (or more, but less than 2 years).

Associate’s Degree

Associate’s Degree program is two years long. After completing this program, you’ll obtain an Associate’s Degree from the college/university/accrediting body.

Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree program is four years long. After completing this program, you’ll obtain an Associate’s Degree from the college/university/accrediting body.

Advanced Degrees

Here are some of the popular advanced degrees –

  • Master’s Degree
  • Doctor’s Degree
  • Post-master’s certificate
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