Best Online Education Programs in Mason City, IA (2026)
Mason City, Iowa has a population of about 27,135. The city’s median household income is $62,369 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering education programs near Mason City, with tuition ranging from $5,376 to $15,405 per year for indexed programs. In Iowa, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $102,810 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Mason City
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 24 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Mason City. Distances are calculated from Mason City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology | Mason City, IA | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waldorf University | Forest City, IA | 23.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 37.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls, IA | 43.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wartburg College | Waverly, IA | 46.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 57.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 66.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 67.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | 68.2 mi | $5,376 - $15,405 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa education page.
Education Wages Near Mason City
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Iowa, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $58,910 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $55,540 |
| Middle School Teacher | $57,750 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $54,720 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $102,810 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $86,470 |
| Tutor | $34,940 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $55,910 |
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.
Mason City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,135 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Education-related employment in Cerro Gordo County | 226 workers, 18 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Mason City-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Austin, MN – 37.9 mi away (25,105 pop)
- Cedar Falls, IA – 57.6 mi away (41,390 pop)
- Waterloo, IA – 62.5 mi away (112,635 pop)
- Owatonna, MN – 65.2 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Fort Dodge, IA – 66.3 mi away (24,359 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Mason City, IA?
Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering education programs near Mason City. The closest is La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology in Mason City, IA (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Iowa Central Community College (68.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles in Iowa?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying education-related roles in Iowa are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($102,810), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($86,470), Secondary School Teacher ($58,910). Wages for Mason City workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Austin instead of Mason City?
Austin, MN is 37.9 miles from Mason 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 Mason City an affordable place to study education?
Mason City’s median household income of $62,369 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Mason 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.