Major Colleges and Universities Near Davenport Iowa
Scott Community College operates the main campus in Davenport with enrollment around 4,500 students and offers associate degrees and certificates in fields such as nursing, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, located in Moline, Illinois, serves roughly 9,000 students and provides bachelor's and master's programs with a focus on business, engineering, and communication. Both institutions are regionally accredited and participate in federal financial aid programs. For regional campus options, the University of Iowa maintains a facility in Iowa City about 130 miles east, while the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is roughly 170 miles west. Additional details on these institutions can be found on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard page.
Private nonprofit options within a 30-mile radius include Augustana University in Rock Island, Illinois, with enrollment near 2,300 and a liberal arts curriculum, and St. Ambrose University in Davenport, which enrolls approximately 3,000 students and offers programs in business, healthcare, and education. Kaplan University, now part of Purdue University Global, previously operated an online campus with a physical presence in the Quad Cities area. These schools are classified as 4-year institutions and maintain institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. Forbes provides current data on university rankings and outcomes for similar sized private colleges.
Tuition, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Trends
For the 2023-2024 academic year, in-state tuition at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities was approximately $9,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition was around $15,000. Scott Community College charged about $4,500 per year for in-district tuition. St. Ambrose University listed total attendance costs near $38,000 annually, and Augustana University reported costs near $44,000 per year. All listed institutions participate in federal Title IV aid programs, and most offer institutional scholarships based on academic performance and financial need. The National Center for Education Statistics provides current tuition and enrollment figures for these campuses.
Enrollment trends in the Quad Cities region show a slight decline in total headcount over the past five years, consistent with national patterns in higher education. Scott Community College has expanded its workforce training partnerships with local manufacturers and healthcare systems to boost enrollment in career-focused programs. Western Illinois University-Quad Cities has increased its online and hybrid program offerings to attract non-traditional students. The U.S. Department of Education tracks completion and transfer-out rates for these institutions, which can inform student decisions about return on investment.
Academic Programs and Career Outcomes
Western Illinois University-Quad Cities offers bachelor's degrees in engineering studies, business administration, and nursing, with engineering students able to transfer to the main campus in Macomb for upper-division coursework. Scott Community College provides associate degrees in applied science for fields including welding, diesel technology, and information technology, with many programs designed for direct workforce entry. St. Ambrose University offers professional programs in occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and accounting, and maintains a career outcomes office that reports graduate employment data. The Council on Occupational Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredit many of these career-focused programs.
Graduates from Augustana University and St. Ambrose University in the Quad Cities area report median early-career earnings between $45,000 and $55,000, depending on major and industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides current wage and employment projections for occupations commonly associated with these programs, such as registered nurses, accountants, and engineering technicians. Companies including John Deere, Trinity Health, and Alcoa maintain operations in the Quad Cities region and recruit graduates from these local institutions. Students can verify program outcomes and employer partnerships directly through each college's institutional research office or career services website.