Best Online Colleges in Iowa

Benefits of Studying Online in Iowa

Iowa, or the Hawkeye State, has a long history of showcasing its culture and serving as a refuge for all. Although it ranks as just the 31st largest state in terms of population (just over 3.1 million people), its total land area (totalling 56,273 square miles) makes it the 26th largest in terms of square footage. It's home to the largest Iowan city - Des Moines - which is both the state's capitol and its financial core. Tourists and residents alike enjoy a plethora of recreational activities, along with a deep and rich history. With such a powerful combination, Iowa has all the components for someone to find a ideal student living environment.

Employment Stats

Looking at the economic health of the Hawkeye State, it falls just behind after Utah for #29. As of October 2022, Iowa had 1,584,600 non-farm employees (the 31st most of any state), accounting for just 1.03% of the nation’s workforce. Almost 45,000 new jobs were added since 2021, when the total tallied 1,539,900. This increase of 2.90% makes Iowa the 28th fastest growing state from the standpoint of jobs added year over year. As a result of it's slow population growth, Iowa still falls short of the national median by almost 400 thousand jobs (think -20% relative to the median).

Iowa was just shy of Nevada (by 7.66%, to be precise), which recorded more than 1,472 thousand jobs in 2022. At the same time, Iowa is trailing well behind Connecticut (by 5%, 84k to be specific), which checked in at #30 with more than 1,668 thousand jobs at the end of 2022. The Hawkeye State fell well short of nation leader (-91%), as it accounts for just 1.0% of the nation’s population.

Job Opportunities

Iowa is slightly below the national median with regard to job type quantity, offering 715 different positions. That puts the state at the 28th slot with -1% fewer occupations than the national median of 722, a spot held by the state of Louisiana. So although Iowa falls short of the median, it still has an impressive array of jobs available across a number of industries, such as manufacturing, food production, finance and healthcare.

The state of Iowa is home to a number of highly rated universities, with the most prominent being the University of Iowa, located in Iowa City. The university has an enrollment of around 33,000 students, making it one of the larger universities in the Midwest. Students can choose from around 200 majors, minors and certificates, so there’s plenty of opportunity to explore and find the right fit. Iowa City is also known as a great place to live, with a low cost of living and more than a dozen parks and trails. Drake University, located in Des Moines, is another very well respected university. With just around 5,000 students, Drake offers a smaller, more intimate learning environment. The university has more than 70 majors and programs, and is among the top universities in the country.

Overall, those looking for a more laid back lifestyle should consider studying in Iowa where it's relatively small population is more than offset by it's large land area and growing economy. With sizable employment numbers and expected to increase year over year, the Hawkeye State provides new graduates with plenty of opportunity to make a living. Iowa is an excellent choice for those not wanting to have to compete with a massive population or have to navigation a large number of applicants to gain employment.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)