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2023 Most Popular Online Trade Schools in Iowa

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

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Online Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. This report analyzed 13 schools in Iowa to see which ones had the most popular online programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
919 Total Awards
$52,483 Average Earnings
$21,278 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Waldorf University to be the most popular school for trade school students in Iowa. This small private for-profit school is located in Forest City, Iowa, and it awarded 919 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,278 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Waldorf graduates make an average of $52,483 annually. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.

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1,143 Total Awards
$35,028 Average Earnings
$15,064 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend Eastern Iowa Community College District. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in Iowa list. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a medium-sized public school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 1,143 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $15,064 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,028 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

Read full report on Eastern Iowa Community College District

735 Total Awards
$43,385 Average Earnings
$14,356 Avg Student Debt

The programs at Indian Hills Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Iowa. IHCC is a small public school situated in Ottumwa, Iowa. It awarded 735 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from IHCC accumulate an average of $14,356 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from IHCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,385 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Indian Hills Community College

#4

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
1,328 Total Awards
$45,288 Average Earnings
$30,575 Avg Student Debt

The programs at Upper Iowa University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Iowa. Located in Fayette, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,328 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,575 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UIU graduates make an average of $45,288 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Read full report on Upper Iowa University

356 Total Awards
$48,199 Average Earnings
$9,876 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 13 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwest Iowa Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Sheldon, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 356 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College accumulate an average of $9,876 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Northwest Iowa Community College graduates make an average of $48,199 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.

Read full report on Northwest Iowa Community College

404 Total Awards
$47,534 Average Earnings
$20,070 Avg Student Debt

Mercy College of Health Sciences landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 404 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from Mercy College of Health Sciences accumulate an average of $20,070 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $411 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates make an average of $47,534 annually. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Mercy College of Health Sciences

#7

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2,365 Total Awards
$38,090 Average Earnings
$15,926 Avg Student Debt

Kirkwood Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fairly large public school handed out 2,365 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,926 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $68. Once they receive their degree, Kirkwood Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,090 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Kirkwood Community College

#8

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
1,134 Total Awards
$39,705 Average Earnings
$16,754 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Central Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. 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.

On average, students take out $16,754 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $68.After graduating from Iowa Central Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,705 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

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#8

Allen College

Waterloo, Iowa
253 Total Awards
$64,491 Average Earnings
$47,927 Avg Student Debt

Allen College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Allen College is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Waterloo, Iowa that handed out 253 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $47,927 in student loans.After graduating from Allen College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,491 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.

Read full report on Allen College

459 Total Awards
$54,336 Average Earnings
$30,887 Avg Student Debt

Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Lamoni, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 459 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,887 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Graceland Lamoni graduates make an average of $54,336 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Read full report on Graceland University - Lamoni

#10

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
767 Total Awards
$35,945 Average Earnings
$14,116 Avg Student Debt

Southeastern Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in Iowa list. Southeastern Community College is a small public school situated in West Burlington, Iowa. It awarded 767 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,116 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Southeastern Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,945 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

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#12

St Luke's College

Sioux City, Iowa
85 Total Awards
$50,066 Average Earnings
$17,386 Avg Student Debt

St Luke’s College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 85 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from St Luke’s College accumulate an average of $17,386 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, St Luke’s College graduates make an average of $50,066 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

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#12

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa
311 Total Awards
$31,031 Average Earnings
$15,383 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Online Trade Schools in Iowa list. Iowa Lakes Community College is a public institution located in Estherville, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 311 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $15,383 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Iowa Lakes Community College graduates make an average of $31,031 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

Read full report on Iowa Lakes Community College

Most Popular Online Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 13 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.

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