Best online colleges in Iowa
Colleges where at least half of students study entirely online, ranked by Compass Score.
Best online colleges in Iowa4 schools
4 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Iowa.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- At least half of students enrolled only in distance education (federal data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Mostly online students
- 62% graduate
- 2
Maharishi International University
Fairfield, IA · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Mostly online students
- 50% graduate
- 3
- 4
Waldorf University
Forest City, IA · Private for-profitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Mostly online students
- 21% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista University | About $19,000 | $25,000 | $49,156 | 62% |
| Maharishi International University | About $15,000 | $24,781 | $27,981 | 50% |
| Upper Iowa University | About $21,000 | $25,000 | $52,766 | 34% |
| Waldorf University | About $20,000 | $18,752 | $51,165 | 21% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.