2025 Guide to Top Online Colleges Near Independence, Iowa
Looking for information about the best online colleges and universities serving Independence? Here's your guide to the top schools offering online degrees to students in the area, including
institutions located within 40 miles of Independence, Iowa.
There are at least 6 colleges
serving the area by offering distance learning programs, including 5 nonprofit online colleges, 0 for-profit online colleges, and 1 community college offering 2-year online degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of online colleges serving Independence, with details about trends, school type, online degree offerings, and online program completions. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Independence, Iowa Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near
Independence, Iowa have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed
2,260 distance education degree programs at online colleges and
universities near Independence. That was a decrease of 7% from completions reported in
2019.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2023
Est. Online Completions (Last 5 Years)
2019:2438
2020:2274
2021:2456
2022:2270
2023:2260
Estimate derived from 2023 Lightcast™ completion data.
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students 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 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Adult Students
77%
Students 25+ 77
Students Under 25 23
Source: College Scorecard 2022
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving Independence, Iowa
There are at least 5 nonprofit 4-year
schools serving Independence, Iowa, where students completed
3,396 distance education
degree programs. Of those schools, 5 were private nonprofit
institutions and 1 was
a public school. Browse through the listing below to learn more about these nonprofit online colleges
serving Independence, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree
programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Source Details
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577 Accredited
Yes
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Independence, 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 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,171
Associate: 88
Bachelor's: 1,429
Master's: 616
Doctoral: 38
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate69Bachelor's801Master's313Doctoral17
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate13Bachelor's106Master's31Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate1Bachelor's26Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate2Bachelor's157Master's128Doctoral15
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate3Bachelor's163Master's10Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's44Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's31Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's100Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's10Doctoral6
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's50Master's49Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$19,000 Accredited
Yes
Upper Iowa University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Upper Iowa University. In 2023, 567 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 54 associate degrees, 204 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
80%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
825
Associate: 54
Bachelor's: 567
Master's: 204
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate21Bachelor's233Master's123Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate1Bachelor's69Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate10Bachelor's88Master's27Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate22Bachelor's3Master's0Doctoral0
Agricultural/Animal/Plan/Veterinary Science and Related FieldsAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's0Doctoral0
EngineeringAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's0Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's17Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's61Master's11Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's0Doctoral0
Visual and Performing ArtsAssociate0Bachelor's23Master's0Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's10Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's18Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's67Master's0Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's8Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$51,040 Accredited
Yes
Wartburg 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 minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Wartburg College. In 2023, 15 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
4%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
15
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 15
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's15Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$24,456 Accredited
Yes
Allen 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 most programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Allen College. In 2023, 127 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 34 master's degrees, and 14 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
83%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
175
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 127
Master's: 34
Doctoral: 14
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's127Master's34Doctoral14
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$39,070 Accredited
Yes
Mount Mercy 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 some programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Mount Mercy University. In 2023, 128 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 82 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
42%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
210
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 128
Master's: 82
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's93Master's74Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's16Master's6Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's2Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's18Master's0Doctoral0
Philosophy and Religious StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's0Doctoral0
Affordable Online Colleges Near Independence, Iowa
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree near Independence, Iowa? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average
tuition at Independence-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $28,629. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit
schools near Independence is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
Accredited
Online Colleges Serving Independence, Iowa
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college 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 near Independence, Iowa is institutionally accredited? View a list of
institutionally accredited online colleges and universities serving Independence, Iowa here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
Accredited Online Nonprofit Colleges Serving Independence, Iowa
- Franklin University
- Allen College
- Mount Mercy University
- Upper Iowa University
- Wartburg College
Accredited Online Community Colleges Serving Independence, Iowa
- Hawkeye Community College
Find Online Degrees Near Independence, Iowa