Best Online Nursing 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 nursing programs within 100 miles of Waterloo, with tuition ranging from $5,304 to $14,797 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 Waterloo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Waterloo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen College | Waterloo, IA | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | 44.4 mi | $5,304 - $13,993 | – |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls, IA | 46.6 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 nursing page.
Nursing 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 |
| Nursing-related employment in Black Hawk County | 2,608 workers, 93 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waterloo-Area Cities With Nursing 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 nursing programs are near Waterloo, IA?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Waterloo. The closest is Allen College in Waterloo, IA (2.7 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 nursing roles near Waterloo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Waterloo 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 Cedar Falls instead of Waterloo?
Cedar Falls, IA is 5.5 miles from Waterloo 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 Waterloo an affordable place to study nursing?
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.