Colleges in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities in Cedar Rapids? Here's your guide to the top schools located within 30 miles of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
There are about 7 colleges in the area, including 4 private colleges and universities, 2 public colleges and universities, and 1 community college offering 2-year degrees.
Read on to get a breakdown of the colleges near Cedar Rapids, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings.
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and regionally-accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
UG Enrollment
3,855
Part Time: 2,390
Full Time: 1,465
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
1,673
Associate: 65
Bachelor's: 1,001
Master's: 599
Doctoral: 8
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
99%
Online Offerings1,65518
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Private Colleges Near Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Of the 7 schools near Cedar Rapids, 4 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 7,678 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2020, a total of 3,112 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 1,993 that were offered online.
Franklin University
Student Age:
Adult
Online:
Mostly
2020 Tuition
$9,577
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Cedar Rapids, area. Franklin University is an accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2020, 1,001 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 65 associate degrees, 599 master's degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees were earned.
UG Enrollment
3,855
Part Time: 2,390
Full Time: 1,465
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
1,673
Associate: 65
Bachelor's: 1,001
Master's: 599
Doctoral: 8
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
99%
Online Offerings1,65518
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Mount Mercy University
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Some
2020 Tuition
$33,862
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Mount Mercy University is an accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Mount Mercy University. In 2020, 511 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 165 master's degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees were earned.
UG Enrollment
1,429
Part Time: 360
Full Time: 1,069
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
680
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 511
Master's: 165
Doctoral: 4
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
50%
Online Offerings338342
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Cornell College
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
None
2020 Tuition
$43,976
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Cornell College is an accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Cornell College. In 2020, 297 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
UG Enrollment
1,017
Part Time: 3
Full Time: 1,014
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
297
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 297
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
0%
Online Offerings0297
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Coe College
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
None
2020 Tuition
$45,580
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Coe College is an accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Coe College. In 2020, 462 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
UG Enrollment
1,377
Part Time: 7
Full Time: 1,370
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
462
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 462
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
0%
Online Offerings0462
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Public Colleges Near Cedar Rapids, Iowa
There are 2 four-year public colleges located within 30 miles of Cedar Rapids. About 23,280 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 8,539 degrees were completed at public colleges in Cedar Rapids. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
University of Iowa
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Minimal
2020 Tuition
$9,606
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
University of Iowa is an accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Iowa. In 2020, 6,228 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,398 master's degrees, and 913 doctoral degrees were earned.
UG Enrollment
22,920
Part Time: 1,829
Full Time: 21,091
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
8,539
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 6,228
Master's: 1,398
Doctoral: 913
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
25%
Online Offerings2,1186,421
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Purdue University Global-Cedar Rapids
Student Age:
Adult
Online:
None
2020 Tuition
$14,343
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
No
Non-Profit
Yes
Purdue University Global-Cedar Rapids is a non-accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Purdue University Global-Cedar Rapids. In 2020, 0 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
UG Enrollment
360
Part Time: 169
Full Time: 191
2018 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
0
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
0%
Online Offerings00
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Community Colleges Near Cedar Rapids, Iowa
There is 1 community college in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2020, about 8,564 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Cedar Rapids, and about 1,610 associate degrees were completed. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Kirkwood Community College
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Some
2020 Tuition
$5,028
School Type
2-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Kirkwood Community College is an accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
UG Enrollment
8,564
Part Time: 3,637
Full Time: 4,927
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
1,610
Associate: 1,610
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
52%
Online Offerings836774
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Cedar Rapids? What's the Cedar Rapids, Iowa job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2021, there were about 216,714 jobs in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. From 2020-2021, job growth in Cedar Rapids was below the national average, at 0.3%. There were 23,228 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Cedar Rapids do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $20.87.
# of Jobs (2021)
216,714
% of Change (20-21)
+0.3%
National Avg: +0.8%
Median Earnings
$20.87/hr
National Avg: $16.88/hr
Annual Openings
23,228