Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees in Iowa 2025

The best way to find an affordable associate degree online is to identify in-state options at public colleges. You can study many subjects and improve your chances of getting a job in business administration, healthcare, education, and beyond.

Costs differ based on program type and several other factors for Iowa residents. You should weigh your options by exploring the cheapest online associate degrees. Here are some ways to find a cheap online associate degree in Iowa.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in Iowa?

The first step to finding an affordable associate degree online requires you to understand the typical costs of college degrees. Depending on the institution, tuition costs could be as low as $4,000 or higher than $15,000. Private versus public school enrollment accounts for most of the difference. Keep this in mind if you wish to identify schools offering a cheap online associate degree in Iowa.

Before researching what's available in Iowa, be sure to review our article on the cheapest online colleges.

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

You can use this preview of the best colleges for online associate degree programs to improve your school research. These colleges offer online classes in several academic fields. Some of these institutions are members of the Iowa Community College Online Consortium, a collection of colleges dedicated to online education.

1. Indian Hills Community College

Indian Hills Community College provides an online learning environment for degree seekers. It offers four online degree programs featuring over 300 courses.

The school aims to make online courses transferable for further education. Online students can complete two-year degrees in subjects like health sciences, advanced technology, or arts and sciences.

Average in-state tuition: $6,720

Average out-of-state tuition: $8,160

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: This institution connects students with scholarship and grant opportunities.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Iowa Central Community College

Iowa Central Community College teaches 100% of its academic offerings online. You can save money by attending this community college, which doesn't require students to purchase physical textbooks. The school utilizes a much more affordable e-book rental service, significantly reducing attendance costs.

Average in-state tuition: $6,300

Average out-of-state tuition: $9,165

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: You can apply for loans and grants, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Accreditation: HLC

3. Iowa Western Community College

Iowa Western Community College promises a flexible and interactive learning environment with ample support services and no need to set foot on campus. The school's 100% online degree programs include criminal justice, human services, general studies, and cyber security. It also offers several certificate programs and diplomas, along with more than a dozen associate degrees.

Average in-state tuition: $214 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $219 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Apply for FAFSA or explore scholarships

Accreditation: HLC

4. Eastern Iowa Community College

Eastern Iowa Community College can accelerate your career goals if you enroll in one of its four-, eight-, 12-, or 16-week courses. This school excels at online flexibility and provides a solid option for out-of-state residents, provided you live in a bordering state like Illinois. Out-of-state tuition is higher than in-state rates.

Average in-state tuition: $3,232

Average out-of-state tuition: $3,568 (nearby-state residents)

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: The college participates in Iowa's Last Dollar Scholarship

Accreditation: HLC

5. Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College can jumpstart your career in accounting, business administration, and several other fields. This includes associate degree options, certificate programs, diplomas, and preparation for those who wish to enter a bachelor's degree program later. The college emphasizes the ease with which students can take advantage of transfer credits when they pursue higher education.

Average in-state tuition: $193 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $193 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: You can seek scholarships or participate in work-study programs

Accreditation: HLC

6. Southwestern Community College

You can go to Southwestern Community College to study several subjects and complete an associate degree in accounting, business administration, or agricultural business. This is one of Iowa's better community colleges for students who wish to explore a career in agriculture after graduating high school. Southwestern Community College even provides free tutoring with its affordable distance education coursework.

Average in-state tuition: $8,064

Average out-of-state tuition: $8,316

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Students can obtain grants or complete the FAFSA.

Accreditation: HLC

7. Iowa Lakes Community College

This community college boasts the following advantages of enrolling in their 100% online programs: a quality education, convenience, supportive faculty, and a wide range of degree programs. You can earn your two-year degree in agribusiness technology, nursing, computer programming, physics, psychology, and more.

Average in-state tuition: $221 per credit hour (online)

Average out-of-state tuition: $221 per credit hour (online)

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Students can apply for private loans, merit scholarships, and the FAFSA

Accreditation: HLC

8. Western Iowa Tech Community College

Western Iowa Tech offers associate degrees in subjects like business, communication, elementary education, history, and human resource management. It even has a two-year degree where you can learn the essentials of video game design. There are over 70 programs altogether, if you consider certificate programs and other credentials, all available for online learning.

Average in-state tuition: $221 per credit hour (online)

Average out-of-state tuition: $221 per credit hour (online)

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: There are scholarship opportunities and you can apply for FAFSA.

Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Associate Degrees in the U.S.

If you don't see an Iowa community college or university that suits your needs, consider some of these other full-time and self-paced programs. These programs are 100% online and affordable for distance education students anywhere.

Liberty University

Liberty University specializes in online college degrees, ranging from the associate degree level through doctoral education. The school offers generous military discounts and the same tuition rates for every student, no matter your residence. It includes almost every academic field. Liberty receives positive testimonials for being Christian-friendly, affordable, and dedicated to serving military veterans with online education.

Average in-state tuition: $390 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $250 per credit hour for military members

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: FAFSA, private loans, and grants

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is another well-known and accredited online college that serves students across the U.S. with generous course offerings. Its degree programs include information technology, cybersecurity, business fundamentals, and criminal justice. These programs help you obtain immediate employment or continue your education with a four-year degree program.

Average in-state tuition: $9,480

Average out-of-state tuition: $9,480

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: You can secure federal loans, grants, and scholarships

Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

These are the criteria Learn.org uses to evaluate affordable online programs.

• Accreditation: Our rankings only include accredited universities.
• Affordability: Tuition costs should not exceed more than $10,000.
• Program reputation and quality: We focus on high-quality programs, recognized for good faculty, support services, and lucrative educational opportunities.
• Online format: All programs are 100% online.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in Iowa

You may still have concerns about program affordability or the difficulty of completing an associate degree online. If so, consider these frequently asked questions regarding affordable online associate degrees in Iowa.

What Is the Easiest Associate Degree To Get Online in Iowa?

The ease of obtaining any college degree depends on personal academic strengths, the degree program's duration, coursework rigor, and the program level. Many of Iowa's associate degree programs have reasonable requirements, whereas course difficulty increases if graduates choose to seek a bachelor's degree or higher.

How Much Does a 2-Year Degree Cost?

According to EducationData.org, the average tuition cost for a two-year degree is $7,196. However, you can find even more affordable programs in Iowa by researching the previously mentioned programs.

It's also possible to avoid high degree costs by pursuing an accelerated degree. Some universities allow students to enroll in 6-month online associate degrees, making it easier to finish school way quicker.

What Is the Cheapest College in Iowa?

The college with the lowest tuition rate in Iowa is Northeast Iowa Community College. Students can receive an online education with a tuition of only $3,060 per year. This contrasts with private four-year colleges, which may cost more than $20,000.

If you do not find a suitably cheap program from any of the above schools, then check out some of the many other cheapest online colleges that accept FAFSA. FAFSA is available for associate degree programs, bachelor's degrees, graduate education, and certifications.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get an Associate Degree in Iowa?

The cheapest way to do this is to find a reliable online degree with tuition rates under $10,000. There are several options available to Iowa residents.

You can also get a head start on obtaining a more affordable bachelor's degree by leveraging transfer credits earned while attending an online associate degree. Smart education seekers always take advantage of things like FAFSA, scholarships and tuition support, reduced in-state rates, military discounts, and accelerated programs for every degree they pursue.

Find Online Associate

There are several ways for online learners to find a reputable associate degree program with Learn.org's library of higher education resources. This includes information on six-month degree programs, how to find scholarships, how to apply for the FAFSA, and other cost-cutting measures.