Best Online Psychology 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 psychology programs within 100 miles of Waterloo. In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $97,120 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Waterloo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Waterloo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 5.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wartburg College | Waverly, IA | 17.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 36.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | 44.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa psychology page.
Psychology 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $97,120 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $111,504 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | IA statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $74,990 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $86,096 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $55,790 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $64,053 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $61,450 | IA statewide | $70,551 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $66,540 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $76,395 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,790 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $69,793 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $43,360 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $49,782 |
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 |
| Psychology-related employment in Black Hawk County | 954 workers, 384 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waterloo-Area Cities With Psychology 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 psychology programs are near Waterloo, IA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Waterloo. The closest is Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA (4.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Marshalltown Community College (44.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Waterloo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Waterloo are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($97,120), School Psychologist ($74,990), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor ($66,540). 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 psychology 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 psychology?
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.