Colleges Near Spencer, Iowa
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Spencer? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 80 miles of Spencer, Iowa.
There are at least 8 colleges serving the area, including 4 private colleges and universities, 0 public colleges and universities, and 4 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Spencer, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Spencer, Iowa Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Spencer, Iowa have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 3,461 doctorates at colleges and universities near Spencer. That was an increase of 6% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Spencer, Iowa
There are at least 4 schools offering degrees near Spencer, Iowa, and 4 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 9,114 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 3,805 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,967 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Spencer, Iowa area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Buena Vista University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Buena Vista University. In 2023, 465 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 224 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,419
Completions By Degree
689
Est. Online Degree Availability
75%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Dordt University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Dordt University. In 2023, 389 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 30 associate degrees, 93 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,472
Completions By Degree
512
Est. Online Degree Availability
20%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northwestern College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Northwestern College. In 2023, 281 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 152 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,106
Completions By Degree
433
Est. Online Degree Availability
41%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Spencer, Iowa
There are 4 community colleges near Spencer, Iowa where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2023, about 7,277 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Spencer, and about 1,827 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Western Iowa Tech Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,441
Completions By Degree
435
Est. Online Degree Availability
40%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Iowa Central Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,042
Completions By Degree
870
Est. Online Degree Availability
11%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northwest Iowa Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
817
Completions By Degree
208
Est. Online Degree Availability
43%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Iowa Lakes Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
977
Completions By Degree
314
Est. Online Degree Availability
56%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Spencer, Iowa
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Spencer, Iowa? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Spencer-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $30,257. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Spencer is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Spencer, Iowa
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Spencer, Iowa is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Spencer, Iowa here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Buena Vista University
- Dordt University
- Northwestern College
- Western Iowa Tech Community College
- Iowa Central Community College
- Northwest Iowa Community College
- Iowa Lakes Community College
Spencer, Iowa Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Spencer? What's the Spencer, Iowa job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 150,966 jobs in the Spencer, Iowa area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Spencer was below the national average, at 0.9%. There were 19,037 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Spencer do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $20.49.