Best Online Business Administration Programs in Waterloo, IA (2026)
Waterloo, Iowa has a population of about 66,947. The city’s median household income is $56,344 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Waterloo, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $14,797 per year. In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $116,030 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Waterloo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Waterloo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 49.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 52.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 53.4 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 60.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Waterloo
Waterloo is part of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area (BLS area code 47940). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Iowa statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $76,150 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $87,428 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $90,920 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $104,386 |
| Financial Manager | $116,030 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $133,215 |
| Human Resources Manager | $113,910 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $130,781 |
| Management Analyst | $83,030 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $95,327 |
| Project Management Specialist | $80,990 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $92,985 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $71,200 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $81,745 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $49,540 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $56,877 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $57,830 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $66,395 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Waterloo at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,947 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,344 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Black Hawk County | 1,539 workers, 201 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waterloo-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Cedar Falls, IA – 5.5 mi away (41,390 pop)
- Marshalltown, IA – 42.5 mi away (26,640 pop)
- Marion, IA – 49.9 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 50.1 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Mason City, IA – 62.5 mi away (26,487 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Waterloo, IA?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Waterloo. The closest is University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA (5.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Iowa Area Community College (60.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Waterloo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Waterloo are: Financial Manager ($116,030), Human Resources Manager ($113,910), Administrative Services Manager ($90,920). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Iowa statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Cedar Falls instead of Waterloo?
Cedar Falls, IA is 5.5 miles from Waterloo and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Waterloo an affordable place to study business administration?
Waterloo’s median household income of $56,344 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waterloo while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Iowa public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in Iowa
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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