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Iowa Colleges

Iowa Trade Schools

63 Colleges
$80,084 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$27,633 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

Iowa ranked #33 in the nation for trade school degrees handed out in 2021. Around 8,115 students received some type of diploma that year. The average in-state tuition for students attending college in Iowa is $20,021 a year, while the average out-of-state tuition is $21,585 a year.

About 66% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $6,908 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

Public Public vs. Private
$5,340 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
30% Freshmen Loans

There are 23,051 students at DMACC in total, 5,703 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

30% of DMACC students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $4,717 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.6% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $34,819 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
$4,922 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
75% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,707 full-time undergraduates at Western Iowa Tech Community College, and 5,360 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

75% of Western Iowa Tech Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $4,727 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Western Iowa Tech Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $32,898 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#3

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$5,700 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
41% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Kirkwood Community College is 12,277, which includes 4,304 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

Roughly 41% of students at Kirkwood Community College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,669 a year. Kirkwood Community College has a 2.0% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Kirkwood Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $34,078 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#4

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$6,540 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
72% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Iowa Western Community College is 5,791, which includes 2,331 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Roughly 72% of students at Iowa Western Community College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,902 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Iowa Western Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $33,974 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
$4,488 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
23% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,423 full-time undergraduates at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, and 7,081 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Roughly 23% of students at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,344 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $31,230 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#6

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$5,196 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
67% Freshmen Loans

There are 4,704 students at Iowa Central Community College in total, 2,341 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

67% of Iowa Central Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,164 a year. The student loan default rate of 7.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $34,431 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
$4,680 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
50% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Indian Hills Community College is 3,279, which includes 1,734 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Roughly 50% of students at IHCC take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,499 a year. IHCC has a 3.0% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $34,973 during the early-career years.

#8

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$6,090 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
47% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Hawkeye Community College is 5,042, which includes 1,994 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

47% of Hawkeye Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $4,966 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Hawkeye Community College is $36,020.

Public Public vs. Private
$6,196 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
36% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,285 full-time undergraduates at North Iowa Area Community College, and 2,681 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1.

Approximately 36% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,931 a year. The student loan default rate of 5.9% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $34,792 during the early-career years.

#10

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$6,210 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
27% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,260 students at Southeastern Community College in total, 1,099 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

Roughly 27% of students at Southeastern Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,637 a year. Southeastern Community College has a 3.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Southeastern Community College is $30,419.

Public Public vs. Private
$6,270 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
26% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,036 full-time undergraduates at NICC, and 4,162 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

Roughly 26% of students at NICC take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,914 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.0% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from NICC is $36,188.

Public Public vs. Private
$6,870 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
33% Freshmen Loans

There are 604 full-time undergraduates at Northwest Iowa Community College, and 1,666 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

33% of Northwest Iowa Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $5,459 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Northwest Iowa Community College is $43,956.

#13

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$5,184 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
24% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,836 students at Marshalltown Community College in total, 678 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

24% of Marshalltown Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $4,992 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $33,011 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
$6,330 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
50% Freshmen Loans

There are 621 full-time undergraduates at SWCC, and 1,503 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Roughly 50% of students at SWCC take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,636 a year. SWCC has a 3.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $32,649 during the early-career years.

#15

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$24,526 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
83% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,025 students at Waldorf in total, 2,523 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 1,578 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Waldorf is 4.3 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 72%. Around 71% of accepted students are men, and 29% are women.

Approximately 83% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $5,857 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $43,178 during the early-career years.

#15

Aveda Institute - Des Moines

West Des Moines, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
74% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Aveda Institute - Des Moines is 173, which includes 173 full-time undergraduates. Aveda Institute - Des Moines has a freshman retention rate of 86%, which is a good sign that once students arrive at the school, they want to stay.

74% of Aveda Institute - Des Moines students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $9,105 a year.

Students who graduate from Aveda Institute - Des Moines with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $33,331 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#17

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$10,133 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
48% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Iowa State University is 31,822, of which 26,843 students are undergraduates and of those, 25,271 are full-time. For undergraduates at Iowa State, the average graduation time is 4.4 years.

Around 91% of students who apply get accepted. Around 51% of accepted students are men, and 49% are women.

48% of Iowa State students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $7,684 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.7% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $51,327 during the early-career years.

#18

Hamilton Technical College

Davenport, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$15,600 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
77% Freshmen Loans

There are 120 full-time undergraduates at Hamilton Technical College, and 120 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

Roughly 77% of students at Hamilton Technical College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $9,337 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.0% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Hamilton Technical College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $31,020 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#19

PCI Academy-Ames

Ames, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
25% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at PCI Academy-Ames is 139, which includes 18 full-time undergraduates. Students tend to stick around at PCI Academy-Ames. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Roughly 25% of students at PCI Academy-Ames take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,500 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from PCI Academy-Ames with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $24,422 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#20

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Des Moines, Iowa
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$19,087 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
69% Freshmen Loans

There are 516 full-time undergraduates at Mercy College of Health Sciences, and 869 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.

Around 97% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 13% are men and 87% are women.

Approximately 69% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $7,425 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.9% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Mercy College of Health Sciences with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $52,289 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#21

Capri College, Davenport

Davenport, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
75% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Capri College, Davenport is 128, which includes 128 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.

Approximately 75% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,324 a year.

Students who graduate from Capri College, Davenport with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $21,967 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#21

Capri College, Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
68% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Capri College, Dubuque is 137, which includes 137 full-time undergraduates. Students tend to stick around at Capri College, Dubuque. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Roughly 68% of students at Capri College, Dubuque take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $7,471 a year. Capri College, Dubuque has a 1.9% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Capri College, Dubuque is $23,942.

#23

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$9,411 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
47% Freshmen Loans

There are 8,289 undergraduates at UNI, of which 7,632 are full-time, and there are 9,507 students altogether. For undergraduates at UNI, the average graduation time is 4.4 years.

Around 86% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 37% are men and 63% are women.

Roughly 47% of students at UNI take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,417 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $44,621 during the early-career years.

#24

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
$7,004 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
40% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,288 students at Iowa Lakes Community College in total, 844 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

40% of Iowa Lakes Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $5,282 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.0% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Iowa Lakes Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $36,448 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#24

Capri College, Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
92% Freshmen Loans

There are 133 students at Capri College, Cedar Rapids in total, 133 are full-time undergraduates. The freshman retention rate at Capri College, Cedar Rapids is 100%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

Roughly 92% of students at Capri College, Cedar Rapids take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,928 a year.

Students who graduate from Capri College, Cedar Rapids with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $25,763 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Other Iowa Trade Schools

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines 69
27 University of Dubuque 59
28 University of Iowa 50
29 La James International College-Davenport 45
30 Allen College 41
31 St Luke’s College 38
31 La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology 38
33 Ross College-Quad Cities 35
34 Upper Iowa University 31
35 Drake University 28
35 La James International College-Johnston 28
37 The Salon Professional Academy 26
38 Ellsworth Community College 25
39 Carlson College of Massage Therapy 21
40 E Q School of Hair Design 20
41 La James International College-Ft Dodge 17
42 Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa 14
43 Graceland University - Lamoni 13
43 Iowa School of Beauty-Sioux City 13
45 Mount Mercy University 11
45 Mercy-St Luke’s School of Radiologic Technology 11
47 UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology 10
47 Luther College 10
47 La James International College-Cedar Falls 10
47 American Hair Academy 10
47 Simpson College 10
52 Clarke University 9
53 William Penn University 8
53 Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake 8
55 Central College 7
56 Northwestern College 6
56 Coe College 6
58 Dordt University 5
59 Briar Cliff University 4
60 Wartburg College 1
60 Morningside College 1
62 Buena Vista University 0
62 Loras College 0

References

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