Guide to Online Colleges in Iowa

*NOTE: Kaplan University has merged with Purdue University Global since this list was made. Please contact Purdue Global University-Davenport to learn whether the merged school can still fulfill your needs.

Kaplan University opened in 1937 as the American Institute of Commerce in Davenport, Iowa. Over the years, Kaplan has grown into a nationwide institute dedicated to distance education and small class sizes.

Kaplan's Davenport campus offers dozens of fully online associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs in various business, legal, health and technology fields, as well as a fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. The university is transfer-friendly, often accepting credits from prior institutions, military training and eligible work and life experiences.

Founded in 1858, Iowa State University is a public, land-grant university with several famous alumni, including the inventor George Washington Carver. The university offers a variety of fully online graduate degree programs, as well as a similarly online undergraduate program in liberal studies. Online graduate programs include fields such as education, agriculture and engineering. Nearly all online courses at IA State are delivered through the Canvas learning management system, and may be available in synchronous, asynchronous, or cohort-style formats.

IA State's distance learners can electronically access the ISU Library's materials and services to aid them in their studies. Further assistance may be had from the university's Academic Success Center, Tutoring Center and/or Student Assistance and Career Services.

Buena Vista University became the nation's first "wireless community" in 2000 by giving its students and staff laptops connected to the campus-wide wireless network. The university's passion for innovation has continued with its offerings of graduate and undergraduate online degree programs, ranging from psychology and human services, to accounting, management and finance.

The school allows students to choose from six different course start dates throughout the year, helping students to start their eight-week-long classes when it is convenient for them. BVU also accepts 100 percent of associate degree transfer credits from its community college partners -- a major benefit for transfer students interested in the university.

A university sponsored by the Community of Christ and founded in 1895, Graceland University has been offering 100 percent online programs to its students since 2000. Online options at Graceland include several Master of Education programs, bachelor's programs in areas such as business and criminal justice, and various programs in the fields of nursing and health care.

Online students can connect with their instructors via email, by phone and in the discussion areas of the online course itself. The Frederick Madison Smith Library offers an extensive online catalog of resources to assist online learners in their studies. The university also accepts approved transfer credits from hundreds of other accredited colleges.

Briar Cliff University was founded as a Catholic women's college by Mother Mary Dominica Wieneke and Most Reverend Edmond Heelan as they overlooked a 175-foot hill covered in briar patches, hence the institution's name. Briar Cliff has been growing ever since, nurturing its students with fully online degree completion programs in accounting, nursing, health sciences, social work and more.

In many situations, the university awards credits for prior work if applicable. This may include transfer credits for previous college coursework, or credits for real-life work and volunteer experience. Students may also be able to test out of certain subjects or courses by taking CLEP exams.

The University of Northern Iowa offers several online bachelor's and master's degree programs, as well as a handful of programs with hybrid delivery. Fully online bachelor's degree offerings include criminal justice, technology management and tactical emergency services with vulnerable populations. The university's online master's degree programs are also available in a range of education fields, such as public policy and philanthropy.

UNI's dedicated Office of Continuing and Distance Education exists to support distance learners. The office maintains a team of support specialists to help with technical issues, and a series of tutorials and guides to assist with students' eLearning needs.

Waldorf University was founded in 1903 after "The Great Hotel War of Forest City" heated up between two first-class hotels. When one of the businesses lost the battle and shut down, the Norwegian Lutheran founders of this university jumped at the chance to move into the vacant location.

In addition to the school's unique history, Waldorf U offers its students the opportunity to pursue online degree programs at the associate, bachelor's and master's degree levels, as well as 15-credit hour certificate programs. Coursework is delivered through the Blackboard learning management system and the myWaldorf student portal, and is presented alongside the Lutheran principles the school was founded on.

Delivering course content in a way that busy nontraditional learners can take advantage of is nothing new for Upper Iowa University. In 1973, the school established its Self-Paced Degree Program -- one of the first self-paced distance degree programs in the United States -- which allowed students to complete their studies on their own time, through written assignments that were conducted by mail.

In the years since, the process has evolved, and UIU's online students are able to enroll in self-paced undergraduate degree programs that are either paper- or web-based. The school offers five eight-week class sessions throughout the year -- as well as six-week sessions during the summer months -- so students can begin their coursework at a time that works with their schedule.

Founded in 1872, Northwestern College was originally designed to prepare students for ministry in the Reformed Church in America. While the school has evolved to offer a range of other degree programs, several of them available online -- such as early childhood education, special education, nursing and educational administration -- its instruction is still based on its Christian roots.

Online courses at Northwestern are offered in eight-week sessions with multiple start dates throughout the year. Coursework is delivered through the learning management system Blackboard. Furthermore, various continuing education events are available at Northwestern throughout the year, presenting opportunities for students to earn CEUs, graduate credit or teaching licensure renewal credit.

Affiliated with the Diocese of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University was founded in 1882 and is based in Catholic tradition. That tradition is still present in the school's academic programs, which encourage students to use their education to pursue their life's purpose -- whether they are traditional students on campus or adult learners earning their degrees online.

Through programs on the bachelor's and master's level, SAU allows students to take coursework in a completely online or in a hybrid format, depending on the program. In addition, online students can access multiple services to help them succeed in their programs, such as tutoring, study groups and supplemental instruction.