HIGHER EDUCATION
Award-winning universities and colleges
This is not a sales pitch. It’s the straight facts. Employers here rave about our workforce. They’re well-educated, highly skilled and willing to work. And, if our workers don’t have the skill sets your company needs, our local colleges step up and help with training.
21
Universities and Colleges within 100 miles
29,302
Awards/Degrees earned July 2020-June 2021
94%
High school graduation rate
Consistently ranked among the best universities and colleges in the nation, our schools produce some of the best and brightest!
Coe College
Ranked among the top 20% of all colleges and universities in the U.S., Coe is a hands-on city college in the heart of Cedar Rapids. Coe places 100% of its students in internships, student research, a community-based project or a study abroad program.
Cornell College
A private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa, founded in 1953. This college consistently ranks among the best small colleges in the U.S. Cornell utilizes a block schedule, named One Course At A Time (OCAAT), where students focus intensely on just one area of study for a shorter amount of time.
Kirkwood Community College
Kirkwood consistently ranks in the top 5 colleges in Iowa for enrollment. Based in Cedar Rapids, this community college offers classes at 14 locations across 7 counties. Kirkwood bills itself as the area’s leading provider of accessible, affordable, and exceptional education and training.
Mount Mercy University
Mount Mercy is a private Catholic liberal arts university in a beautiful, residential setting in Cedar Rapids. This school offers more than 40 undergraduate programs, as well as advanced degrees which can be completed within 12 to 18 months.
University of Iowa
This BIG 10 school in Iowa City is a premier public research university and home to one of the most acclaimed medical centers in the U.S., as well as globally recognized leadership in the study and craft of writing. Iowa is known for excellence in both the arts and sciences and offers undergraduate, graduate and professional academic programs in a wide variety of fields.
Upper Iowa University
https://uiu.edu/locations/cedar-rapids
From your hometown near Cedar Rapids, earn your college degree from the renowned Upper Iowa University. UIU’s Cedar Rapids regional education center offers you the chance for a top-notch education close to home.
First-time students, adults returning to school, and transfer students will all find an Education Built for Life—your life. UIU works closely with you to tailor an education program aimed at achieving your unique career goals.
Connect with students
Want to connect with students at our local universities and colleges? Try Handshake. The colleges and universities in our region use this national platform to connect students with internships and jobs. If you are searching for an intern, consider posting the opportunity on Handshake to connect with local candidates.