Best Online Education Programs in Iowa City, IA (2026)
Iowa City, Iowa has a population of about 75,264. The city’s median household income is $57,533 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 60.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Iowa City. In the Iowa City, IA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $109,960 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Iowa City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Iowa City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, IA | 49.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA | 62.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 76.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 82.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa education page.
Education Wages Near Iowa City
Iowa City is part of the Iowa City, IA metro area (BLS area code 26980). 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $59,690 | Iowa City, IA | $65,235 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,030 | Iowa City, IA | $62,328 |
| Middle School Teacher | $59,320 | Iowa City, IA | $64,831 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $54,720 | IA statewide | $59,803 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $107,930 | Iowa City, IA | $117,956 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $109,960 | Iowa City, IA | $120,175 |
| Tutor | $34,940 | IA statewide | $38,186 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $69,640 | Iowa City, IA | $76,109 |
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.
Iowa City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,264 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,533 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 60.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Johnson County | 1,318 workers, 130 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Iowa City-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Coralville, IA – 4.5 mi away (20,397 pop)
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 22.8 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Marion, IA – 27.0 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 29.0 mi away (26,481 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 48.3 mi away (288,233 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Iowa City, IA?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Iowa City. The closest is Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA (24.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Upper Iowa University (82.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Iowa City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Iowa City are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($109,960), Education Administrator, K-12 ($107,930), Educational and Career Counselor ($69,640). 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 Coralville instead of Iowa City?
Coralville, IA is 4.5 miles from Iowa City and has its own set of local education programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Iowa City an affordable place to study education?
Iowa City’s median household income of $57,533 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Iowa City 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.