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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
The Most Popular 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 63 schools in Iowa to see which ones were the most popular programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Des Moines Area Community College the most popular school in Iowa for trade school students working on their degree. DMACC is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 4,028 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,831 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $95. Once they receive their degree, DMACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,576 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 63 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,848 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,311 in student loans.After graduating from Western Iowa Tech Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,155 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kirkwood Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Kirkwood Community College is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,365 degrees to qualified students.
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.After graduating from Kirkwood Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,090 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa Western Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Iowa Western Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It awarded 1,407 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,979 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $118 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Iowa Western Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,271 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Eastern Iowa Community College District is a great place for trade school students. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a medium-sized public school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 1,143 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,064 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,028 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 1,134 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,754 in student loans. 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.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. IHCC is a small public school situated in Ottumwa, Iowa. It awarded 735 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $14,356 in loans while pursuing 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.
With a ranking of #8, Hawkeye Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, the small public school handed out 925 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,143 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Hawkeye Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,877 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, North Iowa Area Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. North Iowa Area Community College is a small public school situated in Mason City, Iowa. It awarded 903 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,264 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from North Iowa Area Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,111 during the early years of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Southeastern Community College 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. Southeastern Community College is located in West Burlington, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 767 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,116 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Southeastern Community College graduates make an average of $35,945 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
With a ranking of #11, Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. NICC is located in Calmar, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 596 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from NICC accumulate an average of $12,670 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from NICC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,089 during the early years of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 356 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $9,876 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Northwest Iowa Community College graduates make an average of $48,199 annually. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Marshalltown Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Marshalltown, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 435 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,245 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Marshalltown Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,535 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
Southwestern Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Located in Creston, Iowa, the small public school awarded 461 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SWCC accumulate an average of $11,972 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SWCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,739 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Waldorf University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Forest City, Iowa, the small private for-profit school awarded 919 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Waldorf accumulate an average of $21,278 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Waldorf, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,483 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
With a ranking of #15, Aveda Institute - Des Moines did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Aveda Institute - Des Moines is a very small private for-profit school situated in West Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 128 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,013 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $109 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Aveda Institute - Des Moines, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $22,970 during the early years of their career. Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #17, Iowa State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Iowa State University is a large public school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 8,469 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $24,658 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $315. Once they receive their degree, Iowa State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,142 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Hamilton Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the very small private for-profit school handed out 76 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,701 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Hamilton Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,146 during the early year of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
PCI Academy-Ames came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. PCI Academy-Ames is located in Ames, Iowa and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 85 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $7,088 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $102, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, PCI Academy-Ames graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,853 during the early year of their career. Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, Mercy College of Health Sciences did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 404 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,070 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $411, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Mercy College of Health Sciences, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,534 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Capri College, Dubuque did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 88 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,771 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $74. During the early years of their career, Capri College, Dubuque graduates make an average of $19,367 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.
Capri College, Davenport landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the very small private for-profit school awarded 101 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,927 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Capri College, Davenport graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $20,169 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.
With a ranking of #23, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,755 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UNI accumulate an average of $21,863 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $221. Once they receive their degree, UNI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,810 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Capri College, Cedar Rapids ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Capri College, Cedar Rapids is a very small private for-profit school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 86 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,540 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $64 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Capri College, Cedar Rapids graduates make an average of $21,605 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 67 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,667 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from ISB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $19,852 during the early years of their career. Around 97% of those degree recipients were women.
Most Popular Trade School Schools in the Plains States Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 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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