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Clear lake iowaPhoto: Bill Whittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Clear Lake

North Iowa Area Community College is 12.3 miles from Clear Lake

No college sits inside Clear Lake’s boundary, but North Iowa Area Community College’s campus in Mason City, with 2,003 students on campus, is 12.3 miles from the center of town. About 2% of Clear Lake’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 Clear Lake. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
2,003 students on campus
Nearest college
12.3 mi
North Iowa Area
Residents in college
2%
Below IA (6%)
Nearest community college
12.3 mi
North Iowa Area · $6,653 tuition
Nearest public university
63.1 mi
University of Northern Iowa · $9,936 in-state
Median household income
$79K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Clear Lake

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A community college 12.3 miles awayNorth Iowa Area Community College has 2,003 students on campus in Mason City, 61% of whom graduate within three years.In-state price at University of Northern IowaLiving in Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa charges $9,936 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $21,712. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 2% of residentsBelow Iowa (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Clear Lake

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Clear Lake.

5 mi10 mi15 miNorth Iowa AreaClear Lake
University or collegeCommunity college
North Iowa Area Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,003 on campus · 12.3 mi · Mason City$10knet price61%graduate$43kearningsTuition and fees: $6,653 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

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 it costs

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.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Clear Lake’s median household income ($79,415) falls.

North Iowa Area Community College12.3 mi · Mason City · sticker $17,040 · tuition $6,653$12,376a year
University of Northern Iowa63.1 mi · Cedar Falls · sticker $22,278$17,740a year

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.

Outcomes

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.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →North Iowa AreaUniversity of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa68% graduate$55k earnings$20k typical debt
North Iowa Area Community College61% graduate$43k earnings$10k typical debt

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 Clear Lake

Is Clear Lake a college town?

No. About 2 of every 100 Clear Lake residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Iowa (6). The nearest campus, North Iowa Area Community College, is 12.3 miles away in Mason City.

What colleges are near Clear Lake?

Within 15 miles: North Iowa Area Community College (12.3 miles, 2,003 students on campus).

What is the closest community college to Clear Lake, and what does it cost?

North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, 12.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,653 a year for Iowa residents; the federal net price, $10,010, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of Northern Iowa cost if we live in Iowa?

Tuition and fees are $9,936 a year in-state and $21,712 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,863 (under $30,000 income) to $18,706 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Clear Lake. 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 →