Best Online Nursing Programs in Cedar Falls, IA (2026)
Cedar Falls, Iowa has a population of about 40,662. The city’s median household income is $74,165 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Cedar Falls, with tuition ranging from $5,304 to $13,993 per year. In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $221,110 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Cedar Falls
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Cedar Falls city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen College | Waterloo, IA | 5.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls, IA | 41.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | 42.8 mi | $5,304 - $13,993 | – |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 53.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 56.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $69,680 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $80,000 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $56,540 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $64,914 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $221,110 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $253,858 |
| Nurse Midwife | $136,450 | IA statewide | $156,659 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,410 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $146,280 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,090 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,731 |
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.
Cedar Falls at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,662 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $74,165 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Black Hawk County | 2,608 workers, 93 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cedar Falls-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Waterloo, IA – 5.5 mi away (112,635 pop)
- Marshalltown, IA – 40.8 mi away (26,640 pop)
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 55.1 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Marion, IA – 55.2 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Mason City, IA – 57.6 mi away (26,487 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Cedar Falls, IA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Cedar Falls. The closest is Allen College in Waterloo, IA (5.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Iowa Area Community College (56.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Cedar Falls?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Cedar Falls are: Nurse Anesthetist ($221,110), Nurse Midwife ($136,450), Nurse Practitioner ($127,410). 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 Waterloo instead of Cedar Falls?
Waterloo, IA is 5.5 miles from Cedar Falls and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Cedar Falls an affordable place to study nursing?
Cedar Falls’s median household income of $74,165 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cedar Falls 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.