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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.
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Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Des Moines Area Community College to be the most popular school for trade school students in Iowa. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school awarded 4,028 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $95. During the early years of their career, DMACC graduates make an average of $37,576 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% 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. This medium-sized public school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 1,848 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,311 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,155 during the early year of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Kirkwood Community College is a great place for trade school students. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,365 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,926 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $68 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.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. Of those students who received their degree, 57% 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. Council Bluffs, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,407 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College accumulate an average of $13,979 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 $118 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa Western Community College graduates make an average of $39,271 annually. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is located in Davenport, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,143 degrees to qualified students.
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 came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Fort Dodge, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,134 students 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $68, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa Central Community College graduates make an average of $39,705 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, Indian Hills Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. IHCC is located in Ottumwa, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 735 degrees to qualified students.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Waterloo, Iowa, the small public school handed out 925 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College accumulate an average of $16,143 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. North Iowa Area Community College is located in Mason City, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 903 degrees to qualified students.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
With a ranking of #10, Southeastern Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. 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. 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. Northeast Iowa Community College is a small public school located in Calmar, Iowa that handed out 596 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,670 in student loans.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 landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This small public school is located in Sheldon, Iowa, and it awarded 356 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,876 in student loans.After graduating from Northwest Iowa Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,199 during the early years of their career. 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 Community College is located in Marshalltown, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 435 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College accumulate an average of $13,245 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Marshalltown Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,535 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
Southwestern Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. SWCC is a public institution located in Creston, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 461 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,972 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SWCC graduates make an average of $34,739 annually. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Waldorf University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. This small private for-profit school is located in Forest City, Iowa, and it awarded 919 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $21,278 in loans while pursuing 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. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
Aveda Institute - Des Moines landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Aveda Institute - Des Moines is a private for-profit institution located in West Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a very small population, and 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. During the early years of their career, Aveda Institute - Des Moines graduates make an average of $22,970 annually. Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.
Iowa State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,469 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Iowa State accumulate an average of $24,658 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 $315.After graduating from Iowa State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,142 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Hamilton Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa list. Hamilton Technical College is located in Davenport, Iowa and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 76 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $8,701 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Hamilton Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,146 during the early years of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #19, PCI Academy-Ames did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. PCI Academy-Ames is a very small private for-profit school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 85 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from PCI Academy-Ames accumulate an average of $7,088 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 $102. During the early years of their career, PCI Academy-Ames graduates make an average of $24,853 annually. Around 98% of those degree recipients were women.
Mercy College of Health Sciences landed the #20 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 situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $411, assuming you 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. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
With a ranking of #21, Capri College, Dubuque did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This very small private for-profit school is located in Dubuque, Iowa, and it awarded 88 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Capri College, Dubuque accumulate an average of $7,771 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $74, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Capri College, Dubuque, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $19,367 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.
With a ranking of #21, Capri College, Davenport did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Capri College, Davenport is located in Davenport, Iowa and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 101 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Capri College, Davenport accumulate an average of $8,927 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Capri College, Davenport graduates make an average of $20,169 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.
University of Northern Iowa landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 2,755 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,863 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $221 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,810 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Capri College, Cedar Rapids did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 86 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $7,540 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $64.After graduating from Capri College, Cedar Rapids, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $21,605 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Iowa ranking. ISB is a very small private for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 67 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,667 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, ISB graduates make an average of $19,852 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
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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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