While agriculture and food manufacturing are both vitally important to Iowa's economy, the state is also a hotbed for biosciences, information technology, financial services, and renewable energy innovation and production. The state is home to more than 20 private colleges and universities and its public system comprises three different universities. Additionally, more than a dozen variant community colleges are available. Innovative and unique programs include the University of Iowa's Virtual Soldier Research Program, which creates interactive, predictive human models to observe, evaluate and tweak human interactions with new equipment and technology, and Iowa State's Virtual Reality Applications Center, which studies the continued interaction between humans and artificial environments.
Planning your career in Iowa
Major employers in Iowa include Principal Financial and Rockwell Collins, which supplies aircraft to the military and Qwest Communications, which provides telecommunications services. Demand for accountants and auditors, elementary school teachers and registered nurses is particularly strong. According to 2010 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wages for these and other in-demand careers were:
With an unemployment rate of 6.0 percent, Iowa could be a great place to stay and discover your educational and career path.
See also: Iowa Vocational Schools and Career Training
The USC School of Social Work’s MSW@USC offers the opportunity to earn a Master of Social Work degree through the Virtual Academic Center without relocating to Southern California. This online program is designed to prepare social workers with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in world, improve the lives of people and communities and eradicate pressing societal problems.
Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Bellevue University makes it possible for motivated adult learners to earn a high-quality college degree.
Work to meet your full potential with a career-focused education from The Brown Mackie College system of schools. Choose from a range of diploma, certificate, associate's and bachelor's degree programs in the fields of Accounting and Business, Healthcare, Legal Studies, and Technology. Small classes, flexible schedules, and plenty of personal attention.
Start your career with an education from Anna Maria College. We are a private, not-for-profit, regionally accredited university that offers online degree programs as an alternative to our traditional campus courses.
Purdue University offers a strong foundation of tradition and history, an environment of intellectual curiosity and discovery, and a supportive, student-centered approach to learning.
UNC Kenan-Flagler is one of the world's top-ranked business schools. At UNC Kenan-Flagler, you develop the skills that make you a highly effective leader and prepare you for long-term career success. The strength of the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA degree comes from a school culture in which members live the business school's core values of excellence, leadership, teamwork, integrity and community.
Advance your career and increase your earning potential with a masters or a doctoral degree from the University of Liverpool. Study online in small groups of business professionals.
Study online with Bethel University - College of Criminal Justice. We offer bachelor and master's degrees in criminal justice that can be completed 100% online.
Regis University offers a rich tradition of Jesuit education to enrich your life and further your career.
You'll find Ashford University®, founded in 1918, is your ideal choice because its Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's programs are affordable, accelerated, and convenient. Transfer up to 99 approved credits toward your Bachelor's program.
Take the next step in your professional career with University of the Rockies.
Advance your teaching career with an online master's degree from University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education. This accelerated program provides the opportunity to earn a respected Master of Arts in Teaching degree and be recommended for your state teaching credential.
Boost your career with an education from Kendall College Early Childhood Education Program. Earn a Bachelor of Arts degree or Illinois Type 04 certification online while continuing to work, earn an income, and manage your personal life.
Articles on College Planning Des Moines
We've been collecting links to universities and colleges in Iowa, where you can find information on admissions, courses, degree programs and more. We hope these links help your Iowa college search, but please note that each school is responsible for its own website, business practices and academic standards.