Colleges in Waterloo, Iowa
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities in Waterloo? Here's your guide to the top schools located within 30 miles of Waterloo, Iowa.
There are about 6 colleges in the area, including 3 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 Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, Iowa
Of the 6 schools near Waterloo, 3 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 5,672 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2020, a total of 2,275 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 1,664 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 Waterloo, 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).
Wartburg College
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
None
2020 Tuition
$43,930
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Wartburg 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 Wartburg College. In 2020, 380 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
UG Enrollment
1,478
Part Time: 17
Full Time: 1,461
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
380
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 380
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
0%
Online Offerings0380
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Allen College
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Minimal
2020 Tuition
$19,052
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Allen College is an accredited nonprofit 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 Allen College. In 2020, 146 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 10 associate degrees, 65 master's degrees, and 1 doctoral degree were earned.
UG Enrollment
339
Part Time: 33
Full Time: 306
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
222
Associate: 10
Bachelor's: 146
Master's: 65
Doctoral: 1
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
4%
Online Offerings9213
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Public Colleges Near Waterloo, Iowa
There are 2 four-year public colleges located within 30 miles of Waterloo. About 8,907 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 3,061 degrees were completed at public colleges in Waterloo. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
University of Northern Iowa
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Minimal
2020 Tuition
$8,938
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
University of Northern 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 Northern Iowa. In 2020, 2,598 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 452 master's degrees, and 11 doctoral degrees were earned.
UG Enrollment
8,788
Part Time: 572
Full Time: 8,216
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
3,061
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 2,598
Master's: 452
Doctoral: 11
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
6%
Online Offerings1882,873
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Purdue University Global-Cedar Falls
Student Age:
Adult
Online:
None
2020 Tuition
$14,343
School Type
4-Year
Accredited
No
Non-Profit
Yes
Purdue University Global-Cedar Falls is a non-accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes part-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 Falls. 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
119
Part Time: 67
Full Time: 52
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 Waterloo, Iowa
There is 1 community college in the Waterloo, Iowa area where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2020, about 3,006 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Waterloo, and about 639 associate degrees were completed. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Hawkeye Community College
Student Age:
Traditional
Online:
Some
2020 Tuition
$5,624
School Type
2-Year
Accredited
Yes
Non-Profit
Yes
Hawkeye 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
3,006
Part Time: 962
Full Time: 2,044
2019 enrollment data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Completions By Degree
639
Associate: 639
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
2020 completion data sourced from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Est. Online Degree Offerings
46%
Online Offerings297342
Estimate derived from 2020 completion and distance learning data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Waterloo, Iowa Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Waterloo? What's the Waterloo, Iowa job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2021, there were about 85,720 jobs in the Waterloo, Iowa area. From 2020-2021, job growth in Waterloo was below the national average, at 0.4%. There were 9,538 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Waterloo do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $18.61.
# of Jobs (2021)
85,720
% of Change (20-21)
+0.4%
National Avg: +0.8%
Median Earnings
$18.61/hr
National Avg: $16.88/hr
Annual Openings
9,538