Best Online Engineering 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 engineering programs within 100 miles of Iowa City, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $32,927 per year. In Iowa, the top-earning engineering-related role is Aerospace Engineer at a median $150,010 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Iowa City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Iowa City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 1.8 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 19.2 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | 50.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Orion Technical College | Davenport, IA | 52.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Black Hawk College | Moline, IL | 57.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa engineering page.
Engineering 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $89,730 | Iowa City, IA | $98,066 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,990 | Iowa City, IA | $113,650 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,000 | Iowa City, IA | $106,011 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,080 | IA statewide | $110,470 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $150,010 | IA statewide | $163,945 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $91,760 | IA statewide | $100,284 |
| Environmental Engineer | $95,980 | IA statewide | $104,896 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $139,830 | Iowa City, IA | $152,820 |
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 |
| Engineering-related employment in Johnson County | 512 workers, 96 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Iowa City-Area Cities With Engineering 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 engineering programs are near Iowa City, IA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Iowa City. The closest is University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Black Hawk College (57.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Iowa City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Iowa City are: Aerospace Engineer ($150,010), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($139,830), Electrical Engineer ($103,990). 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 engineering 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 engineering?
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.