Career Training Path › Iowa › Iowa Western Community College
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, Iowa · Public community college
Address: 2700 College Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 · Phone: (712) 325-3200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Jan 2025 · Warning · American Dental Association; Aug 2025 · Accreditation Reaffirmed: Warning Removed. 2 sanction actions in the window.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,550 | $62,630 | $70,840 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $45,590 | $55,090 | $60,200 |
| Nursing assistants | $35,620 | $39,350 | $45,650 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $33,740 | $69,890 | $80,510 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $36,770 | $47,990 | $59,380 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,040 | $60,680 | $75,950 |
| Electricians | $39,770 | $60,860 | $79,970 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $45,510 | $63,890 | $85,320 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $43,710 | $59,680 | $71,570 |
| Dental hygienists | $78,320 | $84,010 | $93,880 |
| Dental assistants | $39,360 | $48,430 | $57,620 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,100 | $50,510 | $67,200 |
| Medical assistants | $36,730 | $45,480 | $48,030 |
| Surgical technologists | $47,280 | $60,540 | $62,880 |
| Machinists | $44,500 | $57,540 | $61,530 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Iowa (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 81 | not reported | $35,416 | $12,229 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 80 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 35 | not reported | $35,416 | $12,229 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 17 | $56,371 | $52,822 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | $6,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 11 | $41,886 | $36,132 | $13,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | $6,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $37,176 | $41,937 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | $6,500 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | $6,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 7 | $41,886 | $36,132 | $13,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | $41,886 | $36,132 | $13,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | $35,416 | $12,229 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.