Photo: Ann Sullivan-Larson · CC BY-SA 3.0Waldorf University is 11.4 miles from Garner
No college sits inside Garner’s boundary, but Waldorf University’s campus in Forest City, with 665 students on campus, is 11.4 miles from the center of town, and North Iowa Area Community College is 24.1 miles away in Mason City. About 2% of Garner’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 Garner. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Garner
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Garner
One private college within 11.4 miles. The nearest public four-year college, University of Northern Iowa, is 70.7 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 $48–75k, where Garner’s median household income ($70,726) 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 Garner
Is Garner a college town?
No. About 2 of every 100 Garner residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Iowa (6). The nearest campus, Waldorf University, is 11.4 miles away in Forest City.
What colleges are near Garner?
Within 15 miles: Waldorf University (11.4 miles, 665 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Garner, and what does it cost?
North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, 24.1 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.
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 Garner. 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 →