Best Online Education 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 education programs within 100 miles of Waterloo. In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $107,000 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Waterloo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education 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 | – |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 36.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 49.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA | 83.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | 96.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa education page.
Education 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $58,040 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $66,636 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,280 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $66,912 |
| Middle School Teacher | $59,140 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $67,899 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $51,450 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $59,070 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $107,000 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $122,847 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $89,890 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $103,203 |
| Tutor | $31,720 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $36,418 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $55,790 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $64,053 |
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 |
| Education-related employment in Black Hawk County | 720 workers, 55 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waterloo-Area Cities With Education 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 education programs are near Waterloo, IA?
Our directory lists 5 education 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 University of Wisconsin-Platteville (96.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Waterloo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Waterloo are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($107,000), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($89,890), Middle School Teacher ($59,140). 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 education 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 education?
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.