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Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa

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2023 Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa

14 Schools Ranked
$6,017 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$11,438 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 14 schools in Iowa to see which undergraduate certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

145 Total Awards
$6,870 Average Tuition & Fees
$7,669 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Northwest Iowa Community College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in Iowa. This small public school is located in Sheldon, Iowa, and it awarded 145 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,870 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northwest Iowa Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,170. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $7,669 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Northwest Iowa Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.

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220 Total Awards
$6,270 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,670 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Northeast Iowa Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list. This small public school is located in Calmar, Iowa, and it awarded 220 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NICC is $6,270. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,990. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,670 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NICC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Northeast Iowa Community College

#3

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
248 Total Awards
$6,090 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,958 Avg Student Debt

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Hawkeye Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Iowa. This small public school is located in Waterloo, Iowa, and it awarded 248 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Iowa who attend Hawkeye Community College full time pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,583. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,958 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Hawkeye Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

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#4

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
130 Total Awards
$6,210 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,737 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Southeastern Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list. Southeastern Community College is a small public school situated in West Burlington, Iowa. It awarded 130 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Iowa who attend Southeastern Community College full time pay an average of $6,210 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,360. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Southeastern Community College accumulate an average of $13,737 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Southeastern Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Southeastern Community College Report

411 Total Awards
$10,031 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 411 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,031 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at DMACC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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404 Total Awards
$4,922 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,123 Avg Student Debt

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 404 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Iowa who attend Western Iowa Tech Community College full time pay an average of $4,922 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,946. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,123 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Western Iowa Tech Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Western Iowa Tech Community College

#7

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
103 Total Awards
$5,184 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,127 Avg Student Debt

Marshalltown Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Marshalltown, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 103 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,184 in tuition and fees if they attend Marshalltown Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,688. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Marshalltown Community College accumulate an average of $12,127 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Marshalltown Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Marshalltown Community College Report

#8

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
168 Total Awards
$5,196 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,960 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Central Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 168 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,196 in tuition and fees if they attend Iowa Central Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,398. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,960 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Iowa Central Community College. In fact, around 26% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Iowa Central Community College

64 Total Awards
$6,196 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,904 Avg Student Debt

North Iowa Area Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Mason City, Iowa, and it awarded 64 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at North Iowa Area Community College is $6,196. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,884. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,904 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Iowa Area Community College. In fact, around 83% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

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#10

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
289 Total Awards
$6,540 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,985 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Iowa Western Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Iowa Western Community College is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 289 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Students from Iowa who attend Iowa Western Community College full time pay an average of $6,540 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,690. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,985 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Iowa Western Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Iowa Western Community College Report

#11

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
419 Total Awards
$5,700 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,843 Avg Student Debt

Kirkwood Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 419 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Iowa who attend Kirkwood Community College full time pay an average of $5,700 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,604. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,843 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Kirkwood Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

158 Total Awards
$13,795 Avg Student Debt

Indian Hills Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Ottumwa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 158 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,795 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since IHCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 36% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Indian Hills Community College Report

171 Total Awards
$13,304 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a public institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 171 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,304 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Eastern Iowa Community Colleges does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#14

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa
29 Total Awards
$7,004 Average Tuition & Fees

Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Estherville, Iowa, the small public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $7,004 in tuition and fees if they attend Iowa Lakes Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,452.

Online courses are available at Iowa Lakes Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Iowa Lakes Community College

Best Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

View Best Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 14 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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