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Best Trade Schools in Iowa

2023 Best Trade Schools in Iowa

26 Schools Ranked
$42,787 Average Earnings
$25,287 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

The Best Trade Schools in Iowa ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 26 schools in Iowa to see which ones offered the best programs for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
919 Total Awards

Our 2023 rankings named Waldorf University the best school in Iowa for trade school students working on their degree. Waldorf is a private for-profit institution located in Forest City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 919 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Waldorf University

#2

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
8,469 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Trade Schools in Iowa list. Located in Ames, Iowa, the large public school awarded 8,469 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full Iowa State University Report

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
2,755 Total Awards

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Northern Iowa is a great place for trade school students. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,755 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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356 Total Awards

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Northwest Iowa Community College is a great place for trade school students. Located in Sheldon, Iowa, the small public school handed out 356 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Northwest Iowa Community College Report

#5

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
523 Total Awards

The excellent programs at Northwestern College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade schools in Iowa. Orange City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 523 students in 2021-2022.

Full Northwestern College Report

#6

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
499 Total Awards

With a ranking of #6, Luther College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Luther is located in Decorah, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 499 degrees to qualified students.

Full Luther College Report

#7

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
9,271 Total Awards

With a ranking of #7, University of Iowa did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 9,271 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full University of Iowa Report

#8

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
1,328 Total Awards

Upper Iowa University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Fayette, Iowa, and it awarded 1,328 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#9

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
925 Total Awards

Hawkeye Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Iowa list. Hawkeye Community College is a small public school located in Waterloo, Iowa that handed out 925 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Hawkeye Community College Report

596 Total Awards

Northeast Iowa Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Iowa list. Calmar, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 596 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Northeast Iowa Community College

903 Total Awards

With a ranking of #11, North Iowa Area Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Mason City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 903 students in 2021-2022.

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#12

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
767 Total Awards

Southeastern Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in West Burlington, Iowa, the small public school handed out 767 degrees in 2021-2022.

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1,848 Total Awards

Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Iowa list. This medium-sized public school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 1,848 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Western Iowa Tech Community College

459 Total Awards

Graceland University - Lamoni ranked #14 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Iowa list. Lamoni, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 459 students in 2021-2022.

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#15

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
1,134 Total Awards

Iowa Central Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. Iowa Central Community College is a public institution located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,134 degrees in 2021-2022.

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4,028 Total Awards

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school handed out 4,028 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#17

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
590 Total Awards

Mount Mercy University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Mount Mercy is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 590 degrees to qualified students.

Full Mount Mercy University Report

#18

Ross College-Quad Cities

Davenport, Iowa
36 Total Awards

Ross College-Quad Cities came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Ross College-Quad Cities is a private for-profit institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 36 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Ross College-Quad Cities Report

#19

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2,365 Total Awards

Kirkwood Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,365 students in 2021-2022.

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#20

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
1,407 Total Awards

Iowa Western Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Iowa Western Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Council Bluffs, Iowa that handed out 1,407 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Iowa Western Community College

735 Total Awards

Indian Hills Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Indian Hills Community College is a small public school located in Ottumwa, Iowa that handed out 735 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Indian Hills Community College

#22

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
582 Total Awards

University of Dubuque ranked #22 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Iowa list. University of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 582 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on University of Dubuque

#23

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
435 Total Awards

Marshalltown Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in Iowa list. Marshalltown Community College is a public institution located in Marshalltown, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 435 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Marshalltown Community College

#24

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa
264 Total Awards

Clarke University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Clarke is located in Dubuque, Iowa and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 264 degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Clarke University

1,143 Total Awards

Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 1,143 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Eastern Iowa Community College District

View Best Trade Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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