J. C. Robinson House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health is 12.5 miles from Waterloo
No college sits inside Waterloo’s boundary, but Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health’s campus in Omaha, with 718 students on campus, is 12.5 miles from the center of town, and Metropolitan Community College Area is 17.2 miles away in Omaha. About 4% of Waterloo’s residents are enrolled in college, below Nebraska (7%).
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 Waterloo. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Waterloo
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Waterloo
Three private colleges within 14.7 miles, and one public college within 14.7 miles.
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. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Waterloo’s median household income ($67,941) 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 within 15 miles of Waterloo: 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 Waterloo
Is Waterloo a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Waterloo residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Nebraska (7). The nearest campus, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health, is 12.5 miles away in Omaha.
What colleges are near Waterloo?
Within 15 miles: Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health (12.5 miles, 718 students on campus), College of Saint Mary (14.2 miles, 644), the University of Nebraska at Omaha (14.7 miles, 11,554) and Midland University (14.7 miles, 1,340).
What is the closest community college to Waterloo, and what does it cost?
Metropolitan Community College Area in Omaha, 17.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,375 a year for Nebraska residents; the federal net price, $4,982, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does the University of Nebraska at Omaha cost if we live in Nebraska?
Tuition and fees are $8,718 a year in-state and $23,206 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,534 (under $30,000 income) to $19,466 (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 Waterloo. 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 →