Iowa Community Colleges

There are several career training options in Iowa, including a network of 15 community colleges that offer a wide range of vocational and technical programs, including healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and more.

Iowa’s community colleges serve a significant number of students each year. These colleges offer a wide variety of degree and certificate programs, as well as courses for personal enrichment or professional development. Many students choose to attend community colleges because they offer affordable tuition and flexible schedules, making higher education more accessible to a wider range of people.

The cost of attending an Iowa community college varies depending on a number of factors, such as the school you choose to attend, the program you enroll in, and your residency status. However, community colleges in Iowa are generally considered to be more affordable than four-year colleges and universities.Iowa community colleges offer a mix of both two-year associate degree programs and shorter-term certificate programs.

The length of each program depends on the field of study and the level of degree or certification being pursued. For example, some programs such as welding or medical assisting may only require a one-year certificate, while others such as nursing or computer science may require a two-year associate degree or longer. Community colleges in Iowa also offer transfer programs for students who plan to continue their education at a four-year college or university. These programs usually take two years to complete and lead to an associate of arts or associate of science degree.

The average cost of tuition and fees for in-state students at Iowa community colleges was $4,311 for the 2020-2021 academic year. Out-of-state students typically pay higher tuition rates. In addition to tuition and fees, there may be additional costs for textbooks, supplies, and other expenses. Despite the cost, many students find that attending a community college is a smart investment in their future, as it can lead to higher earning potential and greater career opportunities.

Iowa community colleges offer a wide range of programs in various fields including but not limited to agriculture and animal science, business administration, entrepreneurship, accounting, marketing, nursing, medical assisting, dental hygiene, radiology technology, physical therapy, computer science, cybersecurity, web development, networking, welding, construction, HVAC, automotive technology, culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, hospitality management, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, early childhood education, counseling, and human services. Each community college may offer different programs and degree/certificate options within those programs, so it’s important to research each college’s offerings to find one that aligns with your interests and career goals.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, as of the fall semester of 2021, the total enrollment for Iowa’s community colleges was 85,740. This represents a slight increase from the previous year’s enrollment of 85,019.

There are 16 community colleges in Iowa, and they are located throughout the state. Here is a list of the community colleges in Iowa and their locations:

  1. Des Moines Area Community College – Ankeny Campus: 2006 South Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA 50023 Boone Campus: 1125 Hancock Dr., Boone, IA 50036 Carroll Campus: 906 North Grant Rd., Carroll, IA 51401 Newton Campus: 600 North 2nd Ave. West, Newton, IA 50208 Urban/Des Moines Campus: 1100 7th St., Des Moines, IA 50314 West Des Moines Campus: 5959 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266
  2. Eastern Iowa Community College – Clinton Campus: 1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton, IA 52732 Muscatine Campus: 152 Colorado St., Muscatine, IA 52761 Scott County Campus: 500 Belmont Rd., Bettendorf, IA 52722
  3. Hawkeye Community College – Main Campus: 1501 East Orange Rd., Waterloo, IA 50701 Metro Center: 844 West 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50702 Western Outreach Center: 3199 White Tail Dr., Waverly, IA 50677
  4. Indian Hills Community College – Centerville Campus: 721 North 1st St., Centerville, IA 52544 Ottumwa Campus: 525 Grandview Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501 Bloomfield Campus: 21186 Hwy 2, Bloomfield, IA 52537
  5. Iowa Central Community College – Fort Dodge Campus: One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 Webster City Campus: 1725 Beach St., Webster City, IA 50595
  6. Iowa Lakes Community College – Algona Campus: 2111 Hwy 169 N., Algona, IA 50511 Emmetsburg Campus: 3200 College Dr., Emmetsburg, IA 50536 Estherville Campus: 300 South 18th St., Estherville, IA 51334 Spencer Campus: 1900 North Grand Ave., Spencer, IA 51301 Spirit Lake Campus: 800 21st St., Spirit Lake, IA 51360
  7. Iowa Valley Community College – Ellsworth Community College: 1100 College Ave., Iowa Falls, IA 50126 Iowa Valley Grinnell: 123 Sixth Ave. West, Grinnell, IA 50112 Iowa Valley Marshalltown: 3700 South Center St., Marshalltown, IA 50158 Iowa Valley Tama County: 215 West State St., Tama, IA 52339
  8. Iowa Western Community College – Council Bluffs Campus: 2700 College Rd., Council Bluffs, IA 51503 Clarinda Campus: 923 East Washington St., Clarinda, IA 51632
  9. Kirkwood Community College – Cedar Rapids Campus: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 Coralville Campus: 2301 Oakdale Blvd., Coralville, IA 52241 Iowa City Campus: 1816 Lower Muscatine Rd., Iowa City, IA 52240 Belle Plaine Campus: 1206 5th Ave., Belle Plaine, IA 52208 Monticello Campus: 220 Welter Dr., Monticello, IA 52310 Vinton Campus: 220 West 4th St., Vinton, IA 52349
  10. Marshalltown Community College – 3700 South Center St.,
  11. Muscatine Community College – 152 Colorado St., Muscatine, IA 52761
  12. North Iowa Area Community College – 500 College Dr., Mason City, IA 50401
  13. Northeast Iowa Community College – Calmar Campus: 1625 Highway 150 South, Calmar, IA 52132 Peosta Campus: 10250 Sundown Rd., Peosta, IA 52068
  14. Northwest Iowa Community College – 603 West Park St., Sheldon, IA 51201
  15. Southeastern Community College – West Burlington Campus: 1500 West Agency Rd., West Burlington, IA 52655 Keokuk Campus: 335 Messenger Rd., Keokuk, IA 52632
  16. Southwestern Community College Creston Campus: 1501 West Townline St., Creston, IA 50801 Osceola Center: 2520 College Dr., Osceola, IA 50213

Career Training schools in Iowa

In addition to a very robust community college system, Iowa boasts career training institutions including:

  • American Institute of Technology – This school has locations in Cedar Rapids and West Des Moines, and offers programs in fields such as automotive technology, diesel technology, and collision repair.
  • PCI Academy – PCI Academy has locations in Ames, Iowa City, and Plymouth, and offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, and massage therapy.
  • Capri College – Capri College has locations in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Dubuque, and offers programs in fields such as cosmetology, esthetics, massage therapy, and nail technology.
  • Midwest Technical Institute – This school has a location in Springfield, Illinois, but also offers a welding program at its campus in East Peoria, Iowa.
  • Universal Technical Institute – UTI has a campus in Lisle, Illinois, which is located just outside of Chicago. The school offers programs in automotive technology, diesel technology, and collision repair.
  • PCI Academy – PCI Academy has locations in Ames, Iowa City, and Plymouth, and offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, and massage therapy.
  • La’ James International College – La’ James has locations in Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, and Fort Dodge, and offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, and massage therapy.
  • Hamilton Technical College – Hamilton has locations in Davenport and Cedar Rapids, and offers programs in fields such as HVAC, electrical technology, and medical assisting.
  • Aveda Institute Des Moines – Aveda offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, and massage therapy at its campus in Des Moines.
  • Iowa School of Dental Assisting – This school is located in Cedar Rapids, and offers a program specifically for individuals interested in becoming a dental assistant.
  • Midwest Barber College – This school is located in Davenport, and offers a program in barbering.
  • Iowa School of Beauty – Iowa School of Beauty has locations in Urbandale, Ottumwa, and Ankeny, and offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology.
  • Iowa School of Massage Therapy – This school has a location in Urbandale, and offers programs in massage therapy.
  • Cedar Valley Dental Assisting School – This school is located in Waterloo, and offers a program specifically for individuals interested in becoming a dental assistant.
  • Southeastern College – Southeastern College has a location in West Burlington, and offers programs in fields such as medical assisting, dental assisting, and massage therapy.
  • Cosmetology College of Iowa – This school has locations in Ames and Waterloo, and offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology.