Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0Grand View University is 6.6 miles from Altoona
No college sits inside Altoona’s boundary, but Grand View University’s campus in Des Moines, with 1,522 students on campus, is 6.6 miles from the center of town, and Des Moines Area Community College is 7.8 miles away in Ankeny. About 4% of Altoona’s residents are enrolled in college, below Iowa (6%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Altoona. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Altoona
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Altoona
Four private colleges within 9.5 miles, and Des Moines Area Community College 7.8 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Iowa State University, is 27.4 miles away.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $75–110k, where Altoona’s median household income ($86,114) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Altoona
Is Altoona a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Altoona residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Iowa (6). The nearest campus, Grand View University, is 6.6 miles away in Des Moines.
What colleges are near Altoona?
Within 15 miles: Grand View University (6.6 miles, 1,522 students on campus), Des Moines Area Community College (7.8 miles, 18,993), Mercy College of Health Sciences (8.5 miles, 668), Drake University (9.5 miles, 4,094) and Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary (9.5 miles, 396).
What is the closest community college to Altoona, and what does it cost?
Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, 7.8 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,790 a year for Iowa residents; the federal net price, $11,171, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Iowa State University cost if we live in Iowa?
Tuition and fees are $10,787 a year in-state and $28,881 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,582 (under $30,000 income) to $22,496 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Altoona. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →