Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

14 Schools Ranked
$6,888 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 Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 14 schools in Iowa to see which undergraduate certificate programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

145 Total Awards
$7,170 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Northwest Iowa Community College the best value school in Iowa for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Sheldon, Iowa, the small public school awarded 145 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northwest Iowa Community College are $7,170 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,669 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Northwest Iowa Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Northwest Iowa Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list.

Read full report on Northwest Iowa Community College

404 Total Awards
$4,946 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in Sioux City, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 404 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Western Iowa Tech Community College are $4,946 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,123 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Western Iowa Tech Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

411 Total Awards
$10,680 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa list. DMACC is a public institution located in Ankeny, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 411 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DMACC are $10,680 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,031 in student loans.

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

DMACC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list.

Full Des Moines Area Community College Report

171 Total Awards
$6,096 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Eastern Iowa Community College District is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 171 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges are $6,096 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,304 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Eastern Iowa Community College District Report

#5

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
103 Total Awards
$5,688 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Marshalltown Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Marshalltown Community College is a small public school situated in Marshalltown, Iowa. It awarded 103 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Marshalltown Community College are $5,688 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,127 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Marshalltown Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 67% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Marshalltown Community College

158 Total Awards
$6,120 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Indian Hills Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Indian Hills Community College is a small public school located in Ottumwa, Iowa that handed out 158 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at IHCC are $6,120 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,795 in loans while pursuing their degree.

IHCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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

#7

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
248 Total Awards
$6,583 Average Tuition & Fees

Hawkeye Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. This small public school is located in Waterloo, Iowa, and it awarded 248 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hawkeye Community College are $6,583 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,958 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Hawkeye Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.

Hawkeye Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list.

Full Hawkeye Community College Report

220 Total Awards
$6,990 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Iowa Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa list. This small public school is located in Calmar, Iowa, and it awarded 220 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NICC are $6,990 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,670 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

NICC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, NICC is ranked #2 for overall quality in Iowa.

Read More…

#9

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
130 Total Awards
$6,360 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeastern Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. West Burlington, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 130 students in 2021-2022.

Southeastern Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,360 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,737 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 Southeastern Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.

Southeastern Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Iowa list.

Read full report on Southeastern Community College

#10

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
419 Total Awards
$7,604 Average Tuition & Fees

Kirkwood Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fairly large public school handed out 419 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Kirkwood Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,604 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,843 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Kirkwood Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#11

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
168 Total Awards
$7,398 Average Tuition & Fees

Iowa Central Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 168 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Iowa Central Community College are $7,398 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,960 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 Iowa Central Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 full report on Iowa Central Community College

64 Total Awards
$8,884 Average Tuition & Fees

North Iowa Area Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa list. North Iowa Area Community College is a small public school situated in Mason City, Iowa. It awarded 64 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

North Iowa Area Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,884 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $9,904 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at North Iowa Area Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on North Iowa Area Community College

#13

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
289 Total Awards
$6,690 Average Tuition & Fees

Iowa Western Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 289 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Iowa Western Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,690 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,985 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Iowa Western Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#14

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa
29 Total Awards
$7,452 Average Tuition & Fees

Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa ranking. Iowa Lakes Community College is a small public school situated in Estherville, Iowa. It awarded 29 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Iowa Lakes Community College are $7,452 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Iowa Lakes Community College. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Iowa Lakes Community College

Best Value Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

View Best Value Trade Undergraduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 14 schools only.

References

  • 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.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

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