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Southwestern Community College
Creston, Iowa · Public community college
Address: 1501 West Townline Street, Creston, IA 50801 · Phone: (641) 782-7081 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southwestern Community College is a public trade school in Creston, Iowa offering auto mechanic, electrician, and LPN programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southwestern Community College has a 59.3% completion rate, near the Iowa state average of 63.6%, with median graduate debt of $10,975 and median earnings of $40,129 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Southwestern Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used here, and 23.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,100 | $50,510 | $67,200 |
| Electricians | $39,770 | $60,860 | $79,970 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,550 | $62,630 | $70,840 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $45,590 | $55,090 | $60,200 |
| Construction laborers | $38,180 | $48,490 | $58,470 |
| Nursing assistants | $35,620 | $39,350 | $45,650 |
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 | 43 | not reported | not reported | $9,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 34 | not reported | not reported | $9,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 27 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | $26,353 | not reported |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | $26,353 | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
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.
About this school
Southwestern Community College is a public trade and career training campus in Creston, Iowa, located in a remote town setting. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for their education. Across 16 program families, the campus most frequently awards credentials in auto mechanic schools, electrician schools, and LPN/LVN programs.
Federal data show a completion rate of 59.3%, which is near the Iowa state average of 63.6%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $10,975, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $40,129. About 23.8% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of the student body qualifies for need-based aid. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 729 undergraduates and 252 trade program completers recorded, this campus centers on hands-on, workforce-focused training rather than a traditional four-year model. The mix of shorter trade credentials alongside more technical programs like electrician training may suit both recent high school graduates and adult career changers, though specific program lengths and schedules are not detailed here. Prospective students should confirm current accreditation status, program offerings, and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southwestern Community College offers 16 program families, most notably auto mechanic schools, electrician schools, and LPN/LVN programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the campus is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds active accredited status.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 59.3%, which is near the Iowa state average of 63.6%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,975, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $40,129.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (641) 782-7081 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Southwestern Community College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents compared with for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?154396.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of technical trade programs like electrician and LPN training, but specific scheduling or adult-learner accommodations are not reported in this data; contact the school to ask directly.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in the data provided; contact the school or check with your state's licensing board for specifics tied to programs like LPN or electrician training.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Southwestern Community College at (641) 782-7081 or through its website at https://www.swcciowa.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
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.