[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-4″]Iowa has set [hen-ui-link href=”https://iowacollegeaid.gov/Condition2020/”]an ambitious goal[/hen-ui-link] of ensuring that 70% of its workforce has some postsecondary education by 2025.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An online degree can help Iowans stand out in the job market. Iowa is home to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/IowaCollegesAndUniversities/”]prestigious public institutions[/hen-ui-link] like the University of Iowa, along with private schools such as Drake University, Grinnell College, and Cornell College. The extensive community and technical college system in Iowa includes [hen-ui-link href=”https://educateiowa.gov/community-colleges/”]15 institutions[/hen-ui-link], serving learners throughout the state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online colleges in Iowa offer opportunities to earn bachelor’s degrees from anywhere in the state, often on an accelerated timeline. Many of the online programs offered through community and technical colleges in Iowa allow for direct transfer to four-year institutions. Community colleges in Iowa also participate in the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.iowacconline.org/”]Iowa Community College Online Consortium[/hen-ui-link] (ICCOC), which further expands online education opportunities.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online students in Iowa can also enroll in graduate programs, including degrees aligning with some of the state’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.iowalmi.gov/sites/search.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/files/documents/2018/2018%20Iowa%27s%20Workforce%20and%20the%20Economy.pdf/”]top industries[/hen-ui-link]. Iowa State’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.distance.iastate.edu/graduate-programs/”]online master’s degrees[/hen-ui-link] include programs in agriculture, engineering, and business.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following ranked list of online colleges in Iowa offers insight into which colleges and universities might meet your educational and professional needs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Colleges in Iowa[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”employment”]Employment in Iowa[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Manufacturing, trade, and healthcare topped the list of Iowa’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.iowalmi.gov/sites/search.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/files/documents/2018/2018%20Iowa%27s%20Workforce%20and%20the%20Economy.pdf/”]top industries in 2018[/hen-ui-link]. Because Iowa exports so many vehicles, tractors, and parts; agricultural products; and electrical machinery, it also employs large numbers of machine operators and farmworkers. The state is also seeing projected growth in employment for healthcare workers, indicating a need for physical therapists and nurses.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The unemployment rate in Iowa as of December 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ia.htm/”]was 3.1%[/hen-ui-link]. This is a significant drop from 6.8% in July of the same year. Iowa also had a much lower unemployment rate than the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/local-area-unemployment-statistics/”]6.5% national average in December[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Iowa also has a significantly lower cost of living than the average nationwide. With a cost of living index of [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/iowa/”]just under 84%[/hen-ui-link], Iowa offers more affordable housing and transportation expenses than other states. The median cost of a home in Iowa is nearly $100,000 lower than the national figure.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The data below covers some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 2,000 individuals in Iowa that do not require a first-professional degree, like a doctor of medicine or juris doctor. Salary information applies specifically to Iowa, while job growth data reflects the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Careers in Iowa[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2019)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Chief Executives[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes111011.htm/”]$155,180[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]5%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251071.htm/”]$130,830[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm/”]21%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Architectural and Engineering Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119041.htm/”]$123,750[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm/”]3%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Computer and Information Systems Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113021.htm/”]$123,570[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm/”]10%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Sales Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes112022.htm/”]$119,390[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Financial Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113031.htm/”]$116,590[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm/”]15%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Marketing Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes112021.htm/”]$115,960[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ia.htm/”]BLS[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following data reflects some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 5,000 professionals in Iowa. Salary figures apply specifically to Iowa, while job growth data reflects the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Common Careers in Iowa[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2019)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]General and Operations Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes111021.htm/”]$99,740[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]6%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Software Developers, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151256.htm/”]$95,370[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm/”]22%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Medical and Health Services Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119111.htm/”]$87,940[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm/”]32%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Computer Systems Analysts[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151211.htm/”]$85,040[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Management Analysts[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131111.htm/”]$81,440[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm/”]11%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Online Associate and Graduate Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The COVID-19 pandemic has led many colleges and universities to expand their online offerings. This benefits students who may not have local options for earning degrees, but can now enroll remotely. Unlike their on-campus counterparts, online degrees may allow learners to [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]study asynchronously[/hen-ui-link] and earn degrees on a more flexible schedule.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]Online colleges[/hen-ui-link] in Iowa, many of which [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.iowacconline.org/online-courses-programs”]participate in the ICCOC,[/hen-ui-link] offer associate degrees in high-demand fields like agriculture. Community and technical colleges in Iowa also offer online associate degrees for students looking to [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]transfer to four-year programs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For instance, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.witcc.edu/distance/programs.cfm/”]Western Iowa Technical Community College[/hen-ui-link] features online associate degrees in agriculture agronomy, business, and management. Schools outside of the ICCOC also provide online associate degrees, such as [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.iowacentral.edu/online_learning/”]Iowa Central Community College[/hen-ui-link], which offers criminal justice, computer networking, and healthcare administration degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Iowa students can also earn graduate degrees online. At [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.distance.iastate.edu/graduate-programs/”]Iowa State[/hen-ui-link], online students can earn master of science degrees in agricultural education, plant breeding, or seed technology and business. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.drake.edu/doce/programs/”]Drake University[/hen-ui-link] offers online graduate degrees, too, including a master of science in health informatics and analytics — ideal for students with previous degrees in healthcare.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is Online College Cheaper in Iowa?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Tuition at online colleges in Iowa varies by institution. Online learners may find tuition cheaper as a result of avoiding fees, lodging expenses, and other costs incurred by their on-campus colleagues, though not in all cases.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Degree in Iowa?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The length of time it takes to get an online degree in Iowa depends on type of degree, field of study, and student schedule. Learners can often earn associate degrees in fewer than two years online, while part-time graduate students may take three years or more to complete an online program.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is the Most Popular Degree in Iowa?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The most popular degrees in Iowa coincide with the state’s top industries. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2018/10/11/undergrads/”]According to 2018 data[/hen-ui-link], engineering, health and kinesiology, and animal science all ranked among the top majors for undergraduates at Iowa State.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm text-right”]Header Image Credit: | Getty Images[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”1244,201,210″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]