Best Online Engineering 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 engineering programs within 100 miles of Waterloo, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $14,797 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 Waterloo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Waterloo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| 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 | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 52.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 53.4 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa engineering page.
Engineering 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,690 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $108,714 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,270 | IA statewide | $123,157 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,570 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $112,021 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,080 | IA statewide | $116,051 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $150,010 | IA statewide | $172,227 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $91,760 | IA statewide | $105,350 |
| Environmental Engineer | $95,980 | IA statewide | $110,195 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $128,340 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $147,348 |
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 |
| Engineering-related employment in Black Hawk County | 349 workers, 59 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waterloo-Area Cities With Engineering 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 engineering programs are near Waterloo, IA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Waterloo. The closest is Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA (4.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kirkwood Community College (53.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Waterloo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Waterloo are: Aerospace Engineer ($150,010), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($128,340), Electrical Engineer ($107,270). 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 engineering 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 engineering?
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.