Affordable Online Degrees for Iowa Residents
Degrees for your goals, schedule and budget.
ACE vs. Online Colleges in Iowa
to $1 ROI
For every $1 ACE students invest in their education, they receive $19.20 in higher future earnings.7
Pursuing a degree is a significant investment, and many Iowa students need an option that fits their goals, budget and busy schedules. When work, family and other responsibilities compete for your time, flexibility and affordability become just as important as academic quality.
American College of Education (ACE) is a fully online college that helps working professionals earn quality credentials without sacrificing unnecessary time and money. Our courses are designed to fit your schedule while preparing you with the knowledge and skills needed to advance in your career.
Our high student satisfaction¹ comes from attending a college that prioritizes student success through relevant coursework and meaningful learning experiences. That’s the ACE difference, and we’re proud to offer it to Iowa residents.
Why Choose ACE?
At ACE, we believe higher education should be accessible, affordable and designed around the realities of adult life. Whether you’re changing careers or continuing your professional development, we’re here to support your goals from your first course through graduation and beyond. With ACE, you’ll benefit from a flexible educational experience that allows you to continue moving forward without putting your life on pause.
How ACE Compares
You may be considering respected Iowa institutions such as the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa and Upper Iowa University. While these schools offer a variety of academic programs, ACE provides a different approach to higher education.
Because we were built specifically for online learning, every part of the ACE experience is designed with working adults in mind. Our programs teach practical, career-relevant strategies to help students gain skills that can make an immediate impact in the workplace.
Even some of the best online colleges in Iowa originally began as traditional campus institutions. Compare your options and discover why thousands of students have chosen ACE.
| ACE | University of Iowa | Iowa State University | University of Northern Iowa | Upper Iowa University | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Delivery | Fully online courses2 | Select online options | Select online options | Select online options | Select online options |
| Built for working adults | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Start dates per year | 11 starts | 2-4 starts | 2-4 starts | 2-4 starts | 2-6 starts |
| Student to faculty ratio | 11:13 | 16:14 | 18:14 | 18:14 | 25:14 |
| Cost (online master’s) | Most under $10,0005 (total program cost) | $13,4254 (average annual in-state cost) | $12,9674 (average annual in-state cost) | $11,6024 (average annual in-state cost) | $20,1854 (average annual cost) |
| GRE requirement | Never | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Published tuition and fee figures for comparison institutions reflect annual costs rather than total program cost. As master’s programs commonly span multiple academic years, total costs at comparison institutions may exceed the annual amounts shown.
Our Commitment to Affordable Tuition
ACE is committed to providing high-quality programs at a cost that helps students achieve their goals without taking on unnecessary financial burdens. If you’re searching for affordable online degrees in Iowa, ACE offers programs designed to support both your career aspirations and your budget. In fact, 87% of ACE students graduate without student loan debt.6
Our Unique Academic Experience
At ACE, learning is intentionally designed to be relevant, engaging and immediately applicable to your professional life. Every program is developed with current industry practices in mind, and our academic teams continually review curriculum to ensure students are gaining skills that align with today’s workforce needs.
Your experience at ACE includes features specifically designed to help working professionals succeed:
Your experience also includes:
- Uniform course design: A consistent course structure means less time learning new systems and more time engaging with your coursework
- Fully asynchronous learning: With no required live class sessions for most programs, you can complete assignments when it works best for your schedule
- Comprehensive support: Take advantage of robust academic resources, including free monthly tutoring, our writing center and an expansive digital library whenever you need additional support
How ACE Supports Aspiring Iowa Teachers
Great teachers help shape communities across Iowa, and many educators begin their journey by pursuing initial teaching licensure at ACE. We offer programs that help future teachers develop foundational knowledge, effective instructional practices and the confidence needed to support student success.
Our licensure pathways are designed to prepare aspiring educators with practical skills and evidence-based strategies that can be applied in today’s classrooms.
You can complete an initial licensure certificate or master’s degree at ACE and then take steps toward earning a teaching certificate in Iowa, but you’ll want to ensure you’re aware of any additional requirements.
Programs That Advance Careers
We’re accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and have the online programs you need to advance your career.
Education
Whether you’re looking to become an educator, grow your expertise or advance into administration, ACE equips you with the research, strategies, pedagogies and skills you need.
Business
Dive into today’s business landscape and discover how to address its challenges with relevant skills, practices and technologies that are designed to make a difference.
Healthcare
Healthcare administrators and public health professionals are a driving force in ensuring quality patient care. ACE prepares you to succeed in non-clinical healthcare roles.
Nursing
Nurses looking to become leaders or educators should look no further than ACE to support their career goals with innovative and applicable practices that lead to positive patient outcomes.
FAQs
Is ACE authorized to offer programs to students in Iowa?
Yes! ACE is approved to enroll students in Iowa and other SARA participating states through its home-state authorization in Indiana. Read about this agreement to learn more about how ACE supports out-of-state enrollments.
What do ACE programs offer that online Iowa colleges might not?
Many students choose ACE because of our combination of affordability, flexible courses and career-focused learning. Our fully online programs2 are designed for working adults who want to advance their education without putting their personal or professional responsibilities on hold. Plus, with every $1 ACE students invest in their education, they receive $19.20 in higher future earnings.7
How can an ACE degree help me get an Iowa teaching certificate?
Our initial licensure pathways help prepare future educators with the foundational knowledge, instructional skills and hands-on experience needed to enter the classroom. ACE programs emphasize evidence-based teaching practices and student-centered learning approaches that can support your path toward Iowa teacher licensure.
1Student Right to Know. Accessed July 1, 2026.
2Some programs also have local practicum, internship or student teaching requirements.
3Internal research conducted in March 2026
4CollegeTuitionCompare: University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Upper Iowa University. Accessed July 1, 2026.
5This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, receipt of institutional scholarship and/or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.
6Internal research completed in November 2025