Find Trade Colleges

Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa

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. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school located in Sheldon, Iowa that handed out 145 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from Iowa who attend Northwest Iowa Community College full time pay an average of $6,870 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,170. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College accumulate an average of $7,669 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Northwest Iowa Community College. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

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

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Northeast Iowa Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Calmar, Iowa, the small public school handed out 220 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Students from Iowa who attend NICC full time pay an average of $6,270 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,990. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from NICC accumulate an average of $12,670 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since NICC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 More…

#3

Hawkeye Community College

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

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Hawkeye Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Hawkeye Community College is a small public school located in Waterloo, Iowa that handed out 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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Hawkeye Community College accumulate an average of $13,958 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Hawkeye Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Hawkeye Community College Report

#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 public institution located in West Burlington, Iowa. The school has a small population, and 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. Those students who come from outside the state 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.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southeastern Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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.

DMACC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

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

Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 404 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Western Iowa Tech Community College is $4,922. Out-of-state students 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.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Western Iowa Tech Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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

With a ranking of #7, Marshalltown Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. 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.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Marshalltown Community College is $5,184. Out-of-state students 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Marshalltown Community College

#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 landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Fort Dodge, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 168 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Iowa who attend Iowa Central Community College full time pay an average of $5,196 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,398. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,960 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Iowa Central Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 26% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

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

North Iowa Area Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution located in Mason City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 64 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,196 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Iowa Area Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,884. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from North Iowa Area Community College accumulate an average of $9,904 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Iowa Area Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on North Iowa Area Community College

#10

Iowa Western Community College

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

Iowa Western Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 289 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $6,540 in tuition and fees if they attend Iowa Western Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,690. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,985 in student loans.

Iowa Western Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#11

Kirkwood Community College

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

Kirkwood Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 419 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kirkwood Community College is $5,700. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,604. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,843 in student loans.

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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Kirkwood Community College

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. IHCC is a small public school situated in Ottumwa, Iowa. It awarded 158 undergraduate certificates 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. In 2020-2021 about 36% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Indian Hills Community College

171 Total Awards
$13,304 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. 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.

Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges accumulate an average of $13,304 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Eastern Iowa Community Colleges does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Eastern Iowa Community College District Report

#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.

Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $7,004 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Iowa Lakes Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,452.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Iowa Lakes Community College 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.

Full Iowa Lakes Community College Report

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.

Find Trade Schools Near You

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