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. Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering education programs near Iowa City, with tuition ranging from $4,872 to $32,927 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 24 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Iowa City. Distances are calculated from Iowa City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 0.5 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Cornell College | Mount Vernon, IA | 19.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 23.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 24.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, IA | 49.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 51.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA | 61.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA | 61.6 mi | $4,872 - $14,774 | – |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA | 62.5 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 schools are near Iowa City, IA?
Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering education programs near Iowa City. The closest is University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is William Penn University (62.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.