Higher Education

Surrounding the Greater Burlington area, southeastern Iowa is home to multiple community colleges, one four year liberal arts private college, and the University of Iowa.  Cross the Mississippi river into Illinois for even more community college and a University within an hour’s drive of the Greater Burlington area.   These schools bring culture and diversity, connecting hundreds of bright, talented graduates with area employers every year. They also serve the educational needs to area adults and businesses through corporate training programs, adult degree programs, graduate degree programs, and
non-traditional course delivery.

Greater Burlington area is home to Southeastern Community College (SCC).  Located in West Burlington, SCC has proven to be an excellent partner in developing a skilled workforce. SCC designs many of its programs based upon the targeted needs of local industry. The Jobs Training programs help defray the costs of specific training.

A short drive will get you to Muscatine Community College, founded in 1929 and enrolls more than 1,800 students each fall.   Muscatine Community College houses the Industrial Technology Center (MITC), state-of-the-art, training facility.

Iowa Wesleyan College is a private four-year liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church located 30 minutes away in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.   Iowa Wesleyan is recognized as a pioneer in higher education in America. Founded in 1842, it ranks as the oldest coeducational college located west of the Mississippi River. Among its innovations include unique concepts of undergraduate lab science, career experience, and service learning.

Monmouth College offers a comprehensive liberal arts experience.   Monmouth College was founded on April 18, 1853 by the Second Presbytery of Illinois and remains affiliated with the  Presbyterian Church.  Monmouth was one of the first institutions in the country to admit women from its inception, increasing the college's early popularity and  made it the home of the women's sorority movement. 

St. Ambrose University is a private Midwestern university rooted in its diocesan heritage and Catholic Intellectual Tradition.  Founded in 1882 in Davenport, Iowa, St. Ambrose offers over 70 majors. 

Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public university founded in 1899. Today, Western Illinois University is composed of two campuses that provide a wide range of academic programs. The main campus is located McComb, IL 50 miles from the Greater Burlington area.

 With a 4 lane highway system  Iowa’s Big Ten school is just an hour away.   The University of Iowa is a research university .  It is the oldest public  university in the state and is one of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. It is also considered as a Public Ivy institution.