Online ITPrograms
2027 State Guide
Best Online IT Programs in Iowa (2027)
Online IT programs in Iowa start with two degrees at two schools based here: two associate degrees. Living costs work in a worker's favor in Iowa, where a price level of 87.8 makes a $84,500 administrator median worth $96,283.
- 2online programs
- $84,500network and computer systems administrator median
- 38,250computer jobs
Key Points
- Northwest Iowa Community College's Information Technology Specialist, AAS ranks first in Iowa and places #6 of 31 in our national IT associate ranking.
- Total tuition for an Iowa resident starts at $14,260 and runs to $15,678.
- Iowa's largest tracked IT jobs are help desk technicians (6,140), computer systems analysts (4,760) and IT managers (3,920).
- Iowa pays database administrators best against U.S. medians and web developers worst.
Ordered by each program’s place in its national ranking. How we rank.
The Two Best Online IT Programs in Iowa for 2027
-
Northwest Iowa Community College
Information Technology Specialist, AAS
Sheldon, Iowa is where this two-year associate degree is based, and all coursework is available online or on campus. The first year samples hardware, software applications, networking and programming, pointing toward help desk and technical support jobs.
Year two splits into a Programming track of 67 credits or a Networking track of 65. Programming covers Python, web development and database design, and Networking covers Windows Server and network security work. Both finish with the ITS Capstone. The schedule is four semesters plus one summer term, with part-time and full-time options, and a diploma is awarded after two semesters. People who like working with others tend to fit the field. Online students follow the same plan.
- Online tuition
- $234 per credit$15,678 total for 67 credits
- Credits
- 67
- Graduation rate
- 58%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 62023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
-
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Information Technology: Cybersecurity, AAS
Davenport, Iowa, is home to the college district behind this cybersecurity associate degree, a public program of 62 credits. Students begin with Cisco Packet Tracer and networking, add Python alongside Linux, and then take degree courses in Ethical Hacking, Network Attacks and digital Computer Forensics.
Attendance is open-ended: classes are fully online, on campus, or split between the two. Because the pathway is staged, a certificate serves as an entry point to IT work before the AAS adds depth. Certification content touches Linux+ and AWS as well as two Associate-level exams, one in forensics and one in hacking. Once you have decided, an admissions representative at your campus of choice can explain how to enroll.
- Online tuition
- $230 per credit$14,260 total for 62 credits
- Credits
- 62
- Graduation rate
- 45%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 62023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Prepares for
- EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker, CompTIA Linux+
How Much an Online IT Degree Costs in Iowa
Published online rates at schools based in Iowa run from $230 to $234 per credit, using the in-state rate where a school charges residents less. For the two programs that publish both a rate and a credit total, the full degree costs an Iowa resident $14,260 at the low end and $15,678 at the high end, against a national median of $41,760 across every ranked program. Fees, transfer credit and rate changes move these totals, so check each school’s tuition page before you apply.
Online IT Associate Degrees in Iowa
Two associate programs are based in Iowa: the Information Technology: Cybersecurity, AAS at Eastern Iowa Community College District and the Information Technology Specialist, AAS at Northwest Iowa Community College. Total tuition for an Iowa resident runs from $14,260 (Eastern Iowa Community College District) to $15,678 (Northwest Iowa Community College), against a median of $21,269 for every associate program in our rankings. Compare them with the national field in our online IT associate degree rankings.
Tuition Discounts for Iowa Residents
State Aid for Iowa Residents
The Iowa Tuition Grant from the Iowa Department of Education is up to $7,500 for 2026-27 at participating Iowa not-for-profit private schools. Ask the agency whether your online program qualifies before you count on it.
Online IT Programs Near Iowa
Missouri has seven programs, Minnesota has six programs, Nebraska has five programs, Illinois has three programs, South Dakota has two programs and Wisconsin has one program.
-
Fox Valley Technical College
Computer Support Specialist, AAS
Budget $9,604 in tuition. Iowa's network support specialists earn $47,330 to $93,760. Graduates report $43,909 after a year.
- Online tuition
- $157.45 per credit$157.45 in state · $9,604 total for 61 credits
- Credits
- 61
- Graduation rate
- 65%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $43,9091 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 112023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Starts
- Fall, Spring, Summer
-
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
Associate of Science in Computer Information Technology
One rate for everyone: $19,500. Network support specialists earn $64,600 in Iowa. Self-paced, which suits a full-time job.
- Online tuition
- $325 per credit$19,500 total for 60 credits
- Credits
- 60
- Graduation rate
- 35%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $46,5411 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 82023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Format
- Self-paced, courses from 6 weeks
-
Ivy Tech Community College
Cloud Technologies, AAS
Budget $20,938 in tuition. Network support specialists earn $64,600 in Iowa. Prepares for CompTIA A+.
- Online tuition
- $348.97 per credit$178.38 in state · $20,938 total for 60 credits
- Credits
- 60
- Graduation rate
- 40%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 242023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
- Format
- Courses from 8 weeks
- Prepares for
- CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, AWS Solutions Architect - Associate
Iowa Programs in Our National Rankings
| Program | National ranking | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology Specialist, AAS, Northwest Iowa Community College | Networking | 4th of 17 |
| Information Technology Specialist, AAS, Northwest Iowa Community College | Associate in IT | 6th of 31 |
| Information Technology: Cybersecurity, AAS, Eastern Iowa Community College District | Networking | 12th of 17 |
| Information Technology: Cybersecurity, AAS, Eastern Iowa Community College District | With Certifications | 14th of 43 |
| Information Technology: Cybersecurity, AAS, Eastern Iowa Community College District | Associate in IT | 15th of 31 |
IT Jobs and Salaries in Iowa
Iowa’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $143,780; Iowa’s lowest is $58,810, for help desk technicians. Iowa’s largest IT group: 6,140 help desk technicians.
| Role | Median pay | vs U.S. | Typical range | Jobs | Entry education | Salary guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | $143,780 | −18% | $101,340 to $213,730 | 3,920 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Information Security Analyst | $119,710 | −7% | $71,550 to $169,620 | 1,160 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Engineer | $103,050 | −23% | $62,850 to $160,320 | 1,170 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Database Administrator | $101,210 | −3% | $58,440 to $156,540 | 360 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,920 | −9% | $63,540 to $130,720 | 4,760 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $84,500 | −15% | $59,800 to $130,530 | 3,110 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Support Specialist | $64,600 | −15% | $47,330 to $93,760 | 1,920 | Associate's degree | Salary guide |
| Web Developer | $64,210 | −31% | $48,230 to $106,170 | 420 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Help Desk Technician | $58,810 | −5% | $37,740 to $85,680 | 6,140 | Some college, no degree | Salary guide |
Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Iowa statewide (Sources; BLS OEWS). Typical entry education: BLS Employment Projections. The range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
No Iowa role tops the U.S. median; nearest: $101,210 for database administrators (−3%). Weakest in Iowa: web developers, at $64,210 (−31%).
Next in Iowa: computer systems analysts (4,760 jobs, $95,920) and IT managers (3,920 jobs, $143,780). In Iowa, bachelor’s-level roles are 65% of IT jobs; Iowa students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in Iowa: help desk technicians (6,140 jobs, $58,810) and network support specialists (1,920 jobs, $64,600). For those Iowa roles, see online IT associate degrees.
Iowa pays network and systems administrators $84,500, 15% under the $99,130 national median.
IT Pay by Metro Area in Iowa
Cedar Rapids, IA pays network and systems administrators the most, at $93,480.
| Metro area | Computer jobs | Network and computer systems administrator median | Security analyst median | Help desk median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 17,190 | $89,800 | $123,740 | $59,450 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 17,190 | $89,090 | $95,700 | $60,870 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4,470 | $83,820 | $108,280 | $55,850 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 4,280 | $93,480 | $109,290 | $58,330 |
| Iowa City, IA | 2,520 | $87,770 | $120,370 | $61,750 |
| Ames, IA | 1,840 | $78,030 | $107,520 | $63,830 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 1,420 | $82,260 | $106,350 | $59,630 |
| Dubuque, IA | 1,220 | $83,180 | $59,190 |
Iowa IT Pay vs. Neighboring States
Minnesota, Illinois and Nebraska pay network and computer systems administrators more than Iowa; Wisconsin, Missouri and South Dakota pay less.
IT Job Concentration in Iowa
IT work is spread out in Iowa: even Des Moines-West Des Moines, the largest market, has only 45% of the jobs.
| IT job | Per thousand jobs | Vs. national share |
|---|---|---|
| Help Desk Technician | 3.94 | 0.85× |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 3.05 | 0.91× |
| IT Manager | 2.52 | 0.58× |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | 1.99 | 0.99× |
| Network Support Specialist | 1.23 | 1.31× |
| Network Engineer | 0.75 | 0.65× |
| Information Security Analyst | 0.74 | 0.61× |
| Web Developer | 0.27 | 0.60× |
| Database Administrator | 0.23 | 0.51× |
Employment and location quotients: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Cybersecurity Jobs in Iowa
Iowa’s labor market office projects the job to grow 28.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 100 openings a year.
Compare online cybersecurity degrees or read the security analyst salary guide.
Tech Jobs in Iowa: The Industries Behind Them
Industry employment, establishments and payroll: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023. Average pay is annual payroll divided by employment.
IT Job Growth in Iowa Through 2034
Iowa’s labor market office projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 28.4% from 2024 to 2034, and network and computer systems administrators to grow slowest, at -2.5%. Across the nine IT jobs below, it expects about 1,570 openings a year, from growth and from workers who retire or change fields. Nationally, the same job is projected to grow 28.5%.
| IT job | 2024 | 2034 | Growth | Openings a year | U.S. growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | 1,190 | 1,530 | +28.4% | 100 | +28.5% |
| IT Manager | 3,740 | 4,290 | +14.5% | 310 | +15.2% |
| Web Developer | 1,540 | 1,730 | +12.8% | 110 | +7.6% |
| Network Engineer | 1,220 | 1,360 | +11.5% | 80 | +11.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 4,710 | 5,150 | +9.3% | 310 | +8.7% |
| Network Support Specialist | 2,120 | 2,210 | +4.2% | 140 | +1.8% |
| Database Administrator | 440 | 440 | +0.9% | 20 | -0.6% |
| Help Desk | 6,060 | 5,920 | -2.4% | 350 | -3.7% |
| Network Administrator and Systems Administrator | 3,270 | 3,180 | -2.5% | 150 | -4.2% |
State projections, 2024 to 2034: Projections Central, from Iowa’s labor market information office. U.S. growth is the national projection on the same basis.
How to Choose an Online IT Program in Iowa
The lowest resident total in Iowa is $14,260, at Eastern Iowa Community College District. Largest IT occupation: 6,140 computer user support specialists.
Our guide to choosing by state covers cost, residency, authorization and accreditation.
Online IT Programs in Other States
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Online IT Programs in Iowa FAQ
How many online IT programs are based in Iowa?
Two fully online IT programs, at two schools: two associate degrees. All of them are at public schools.
What is the cheapest online IT program for Iowa residents?
Among programs based in Iowa with a published rate and credit total, the lowest for an Iowa resident is $14,260, for the Information Technology: Cybersecurity, AAS at Eastern Iowa Community College District.
Which IT jobs are scarce in Iowa?
Iowa is lightest on database administrators (0.51x) and IT managers (0.58x the U.S. share).
Is there consulting or contract IT work in Iowa?
Computer systems design firms in Iowa pay an average of $89,979, across 13,761 jobs.
Are there cybersecurity jobs in Iowa?
Security analyst jobs are thinner on the ground in Iowa, at 0.61 times the national share, and pay $119,710.
Keep researching
Related Rankings and Guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state and metropolitan area estimates
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections by state (base year 2024, projected to 2034), produced by state labor market information offices
- Iowa labor market information office, long-term occupational projections
- BEA, Regional Price Parities by state (SARPP), all items, 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, by state
- NC-SARA, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
- Program pages for each Iowa program ranked above, linked from its card