Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Iowa Colleges

Find Schools Near

Iowa Trade Schools

63 Colleges
8,115 Yearly Graduations
$78,024 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$28,789 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 $19,506 a year, while the average out-of-state tuition is $21,040 a year.

About 66% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $7,197 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

Public Public vs. Private
1,212 Yearly Degrees
$5,220 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Des Moines Area Community College is 23,051, which includes 5,703 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Roughly 35% of students at DMACC take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,627 a year. The student loan default rate of 11.8% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $31,906 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
968 Yearly Degrees
$4,802 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

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 16 to 1.

66% of Western Iowa Tech Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $4,972 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 7.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Western Iowa Tech Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $31,342 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#3

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
708 Yearly Degrees
$5,308 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

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 46% of students at Kirkwood Community College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,686 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 12.3% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $32,553 during the early-career years.

#4

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
461 Yearly Degrees
$6,330 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,331 full-time undergraduates at Iowa Western Community College, and 5,791 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

62% of Iowa Western Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,769 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 8.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Iowa Western Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $32,227 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
446 Yearly Degrees
$4,396 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

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 25 to 1.

Roughly 29% of students at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,683 a year. The student loan default rate of 9.1% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is $29,935.

#6

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
382 Yearly Degrees
$6,000 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

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.

Roughly 54% of students at Iowa Central Community College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,372 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 16.6% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Iowa Central Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $32,467 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
368 Yearly Degrees
$4,560 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

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.

Approximately 50% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,824 a year. The student loan default rate of 11.3% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from IHCC is $31,962.

#8

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
320 Yearly Degrees
$5,977 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

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 17 to 1.

48% of Hawkeye Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,002 a year. This school’s student loan default rate of 10.5% is close to the national average of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Hawkeye Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $33,802 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
316 Yearly Degrees
$5,971 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at North Iowa Area Community College is 2,681, which includes 1,285 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 22 to 1.

Roughly 39% of students at North Iowa Area Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,294 a year. The student loan default rate of 11.0% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from North Iowa Area Community College is $32,368.

#10

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
295 Yearly Degrees
$6,090 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Southeastern Community College is 2,260, which includes 1,099 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Roughly 33% of students at Southeastern Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $5,253 a year. This school’s student loan default rate of 11.7% is close to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Southeastern Community College is $29,333.

Public Public vs. Private
247 Yearly Degrees
$6,120 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

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 38% of students at NICC take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,733 a year. The student loan default rate of 8.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from NICC is $32,790.

Public Public vs. Private
239 Yearly Degrees
$6,540 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Northwest Iowa Community College is 1,666, which includes 604 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Approximately 39% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,013 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 $41,267.

#13

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
204 Yearly Degrees
$5,040 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 678 full-time undergraduates at Marshalltown Community College, and 1,836 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Approximately 29% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,579 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 13.1% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $30,853 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
161 Yearly Degrees
$6,060 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 621 full-time undergraduates at SWCC, and 1,503 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

57% of SWCC students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,265 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 14.3% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from SWCC is $30,779.

#15

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
132 Yearly Degrees
$23,666 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,523 undergraduates at Waldorf, of which 1,578 are full-time, and there are 3,025 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 25 to 1.

About 72% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 71% are men and 29% are women.

Approximately 72% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $5,969 a year. Waldorf has a 8.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Waldorf with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $38,821 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#15

Aveda Institute - Des Moines

West Des Moines, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
132 Yearly Degrees

The total student population at Aveda Institute - Des Moines is 173, which includes 173 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

78% of Aveda Institute - Des Moines students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $8,869 a year. Aveda Institute - Des Moines has a 1.9% 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 $32,096 during the early-career years.

#17

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
112 Yearly Degrees
$9,634 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 31,822 students at Iowa State in total, 26,843 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 25,271 are full-time. Students tend to stick around at Iowa State. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

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

Approximately 51% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $8,003 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Iowa State is $48,810.

#18

Hamilton Technical College

Davenport, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
99 Yearly Degrees
$14,475 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 120 full-time undergraduates at Hamilton Technical College, and 120 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

82% of Hamilton Technical College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $8,639 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 7.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $29,707 during the early-career years.

#19

PCI Academy-Ames

Ames, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
94 Yearly Degrees

There are 18 full-time undergraduates at PCI Academy-Ames, and 139 students altogether. Students tend to stick around at PCI Academy-Ames. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

25% of PCI Academy-Ames students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $4,417 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.0% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $24,256 during the early-career years.

#20

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Des Moines, Iowa
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
93 Yearly Degrees
$19,754 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

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 8 to 1.

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

Approximately 64% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $12,130 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Mercy College of Health Sciences is $50,376.

#21

Capri College, Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
81 Yearly Degrees

The total student population at Capri College, Dubuque is 137, which includes 137 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.

Approximately 95% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $6,012 a year. The student loan default rate of 8.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Capri College, Dubuque with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $24,520 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#21

Capri College, Davenport

Davenport, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
81 Yearly Degrees

There are 128 full-time undergraduates at Capri College, Davenport, and 128 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

Roughly 78% of students at Capri College, Davenport take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,193 a year. Capri College, Davenport has a 2.1% 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 $20,027 during the early-career years.

#23

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
80 Yearly Degrees
$9,053 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 8,289 undergraduates at UNI, of which 7,632 are full-time, and there are 9,507 students altogether. It takes the average UNI undergraduate about 4.4 years to complete their degree.

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

Roughly 53% of students at UNI take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,948 a year. UNI has a 2.8% 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 UNI is $43,071.

#24

Capri College, Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
73 Yearly Degrees

There are 133 students at Capri College, Cedar Rapids in total, 133 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.

84% of Capri College, Cedar Rapids students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,093 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.0% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $25,412 during the early-career years.

#24

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa
Public Public vs. Private
73 Yearly Degrees
$6,844 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 844 full-time undergraduates at Iowa Lakes Community College, and 2,288 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

43% of Iowa Lakes Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,751 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 12.6% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Iowa Lakes Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $34,215 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 La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology 38
31 St Luke’s College 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 American Hair Academy 10
47 UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology 10
47 La James International College-Cedar Falls 10
47 Luther College 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 Coe College 6
56 Northwestern College 6
58 Dordt University 5
59 Briar Cliff University 4
60 Morningside College 1
60 Wartburg College 1
62 Buena Vista University 0
62 Loras College 0

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.