Career Training Path › By state › Iowa
Trade and career schools in Iowa
Iowa has 42 accredited campuses awarding trade and career credentials, 8,661 credentials a year. The average completion rate is 64% (rank 22 of 53 states), median graduate debt $10,738, and 50% of campuses are for-profit.
42campuses
8,661credentials / yr
64%avg completion
$10,738median graduate debt
$36,882median earnings, 10 yrs
By trade
Cosmetology schools
18 campuses · $19,852 yr-1 pay Medical assistant programs
17 campuses · $33,666 yr-1 pay Auto mechanic schools
15 campuses · $40,686 yr-1 pay LPN / LVN programs
15 campuses · $36,914 yr-1 pay Welding schools
15 campuses · $39,114 yr-1 pay Massage therapy schools
14 campuses · $18,598 yr-1 pay Esthetician schools
13 campuses · $21,521 yr-1 pay Construction trades programs
12 campuses · $29,397 yr-1 pay EMT & paramedic training
11 campuses · $40,759 yr-1 pay HVAC schools
11 campuses · $32,152 yr-1 pay Radiology & sonography programs
11 campuses · $44,057 yr-1 pay CNC & machining programs
10 campuses · $44,633 yr-1 pay Diesel mechanic schools
10 campuses · $40,686 yr-1 pay Dental assistant schools
9 campuses · $29,265 yr-1 pay Electrician schools
9 campuses · $46,717 yr-1 pay Culinary & pastry schools
8 campuses · $26,926 yr-1 pay CNA classes
7 campuses · $38,985 yr-1 pay Medical billing & coding programs
7 campuses · $26,976 yr-1 pay Nail technician schools
7 campuses · $19,805 yr-1 pay Dental hygiene programs
6 campuses · $50,426 yr-1 pay Plumbing schools
4 campuses Surgical technologist programs
4 campuses · $39,413 yr-1 pay Aviation maintenance (A&P) schools
2 campuses · $37,510 yr-1 pay CDL / truck driving schools
2 campuses Lineman schools
2 campuses · $58,123 yr-1 pay Pharmacy technician programs
2 campuses Phlebotomy classes
2 campuses Barber schools
1 campuses · $16,195 yr-1 pay Heavy equipment operator schools
1 campuses
18 campuses · $19,852 yr-1 pay Medical assistant programs
17 campuses · $33,666 yr-1 pay Auto mechanic schools
15 campuses · $40,686 yr-1 pay LPN / LVN programs
15 campuses · $36,914 yr-1 pay Welding schools
15 campuses · $39,114 yr-1 pay Massage therapy schools
14 campuses · $18,598 yr-1 pay Esthetician schools
13 campuses · $21,521 yr-1 pay Construction trades programs
12 campuses · $29,397 yr-1 pay EMT & paramedic training
11 campuses · $40,759 yr-1 pay HVAC schools
11 campuses · $32,152 yr-1 pay Radiology & sonography programs
11 campuses · $44,057 yr-1 pay CNC & machining programs
10 campuses · $44,633 yr-1 pay Diesel mechanic schools
10 campuses · $40,686 yr-1 pay Dental assistant schools
9 campuses · $29,265 yr-1 pay Electrician schools
9 campuses · $46,717 yr-1 pay Culinary & pastry schools
8 campuses · $26,926 yr-1 pay CNA classes
7 campuses · $38,985 yr-1 pay Medical billing & coding programs
7 campuses · $26,976 yr-1 pay Nail technician schools
7 campuses · $19,805 yr-1 pay Dental hygiene programs
6 campuses · $50,426 yr-1 pay Plumbing schools
4 campuses Surgical technologist programs
4 campuses · $39,413 yr-1 pay Aviation maintenance (A&P) schools
2 campuses · $37,510 yr-1 pay CDL / truck driving schools
2 campuses Lineman schools
2 campuses · $58,123 yr-1 pay Pharmacy technician programs
2 campuses Phlebotomy classes
2 campuses Barber schools
1 campuses · $16,195 yr-1 pay Heavy equipment operator schools
1 campuses
The Path
Lineworkers earn $95k. Dental hygienists $98k. Barbers $38k.
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| Campus | City | Type | Trades | Grads / yr | Completion | Grad debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | Public | LPN, Welding, EMT / paramedic, Auto tech | 2,048 | 39% | $11,000 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City | Public | CNA, EMT / paramedic, LPN, Auto tech | 1,015 | 50% | $11,000 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | Public | Auto tech, LPN, Medical assistant, Dental assisting | 707 | 43% | $12,000 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Public | CNA, Welding, Auto tech, Medical assistant | 468 | 45% | $12,739 |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington | Public | CNA, Welding, LPN, Medical assistant | 449 | 44% | $12,000 |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge | Public | CNA, LPN, Welding, Diesel tech | 443 | 42% | $11,000 |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs | Public | LPN, Welding, CNA, Aviation maint. | 420 | 40% | $11,033 |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City | Public | CNA, Welding, EMT / paramedic, Auto tech | 315 | 61% | $9,500 |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa | Public | Welding, Imaging tech, Billing & coding, Dental hygiene | 295 | 40% | $10,500 |
| Southwestern Community College | Creston | Public | Auto tech, Electrician, LPN, Welding | 252 | 59% | $10,975 |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar | Public | LPN, Dental assisting, Electrician, Medical assistant | 248 | 51% | $12,000 |
| Northwest Iowa Community College | Sheldon | Public | Lineworker, LPN, Auto tech, Billing & coding | 221 | 58% | $9,500 |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown | Public | Welding, Lineworker, Electrician, LPN | 211 | 42% | $9,500 |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo | Public | Welding, Medical assistant, Machinist, Auto tech | 202 | 43% | $12,000 |
| Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines | non-profit | Medical assistant, EMT / paramedic, Imaging tech | 125 | not reported | $14,745 |
| Aveda Institute-Des Moines | West Des Moines | for-profit | Cosmetology, Esthetics | 119 | 88% | $8,461 |
| Capri College-Dubuque | Dubuque | for-profit | Esthetics, Cosmetology, Massage therapy, Nail tech | 105 | 74% | $7,600 |
| PCI Academy-Ames | Ames | for-profit | Esthetics, Cosmetology, Massage therapy | 104 | 77% | $5,828 |
| Capri College-Davenport | Davenport | for-profit | Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail tech, Massage therapy | 98 | 82% | $7,600 |
| La James International College-Davenport | Davenport | for-profit | Esthetics, Nail tech, Cosmetology, Massage therapy | 95 | 91% | not reported |
| Capri College-Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids | for-profit | Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage therapy | 84 | 65% | $7,600 |
| PCI Academy-Iowa City | Iowa City | for-profit | Esthetics, Cosmetology, Massage therapy | 74 | 71% | $5,828 |
| Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines | Des Moines | for-profit | Esthetics, Cosmetology, Massage therapy | 66 | 81% | $6,333 |
| La James International College-Johnston | Johnston | for-profit | Esthetics, Nail tech, Cosmetology, Massage therapy | 64 | 88% | not reported |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville | Public | Auto tech, LPN, Electrician, Welding | 55 | 50% | $12,000 |
| La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology | Mason City | for-profit | Esthetics, Nail tech, Cosmetology, Massage therapy | 50 | 77% | $6,930 |
| Carlson College of Massage Therapy | Anamosa | for-profit | Massage therapy | 49 | 100% | not reported |
| Iowa School of Beauty-Sioux City | Sioux City | for-profit | Cosmetology | 31 | 72% | $13,389 |
| La James International College-Cedar Falls | Cedar Falls | for-profit | Esthetics, Cosmetology, Nail tech, Massage therapy | 31 | 71% | not reported |
| Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School | Urbandale | for-profit | Massage therapy | 29 | 91% | not reported |
| Ross College-Davenport | Davenport | for-profit | Medical assistant | 26 | 65% | $9,500 |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Cedar Falls | Cedar Falls | for-profit | Barber | 23 | 52% | $12,500 |
| La James International College-Ft Dodge | Fort Dodge | for-profit | Esthetics, Cosmetology, Nail tech | 18 | 90% | not reported |
| SOHO Hair Academy | Council Bluffs | for-profit | Cosmetology | 18 | 77% | $9,425 |
| St Luke's College | Sioux City | non-profit | Imaging tech | 16 | not reported | $15,000 |
| Orion Technical College | Davenport | for-profit | Medical assistant, Massage therapy, Billing & coding | 15 | not reported | $9,500 |
| American Hair Academy | Mt. Pleasant | for-profit | Cosmetology | 14 | 44% | not reported |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls | Public | LPN, Medical assistant | 14 | 38% | $10,000 |
| Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake | Spirit Lake | for-profit | Cosmetology, Esthetics | 14 | 92% | not reported |
| Mercy-St Luke's School of Radiologic Technology | Cedar Rapids | non-profit | Imaging tech | 11 | not reported | not reported |
| Allen College | Waterloo | non-profit | Imaging tech | 10 | not reported | $18,750 |
| UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology | Des Moines | non-profit | Imaging tech | 9 | not reported | not reported |
Source: the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey, College Scorecard (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026), DAPIP. Ordered by trade credentials awarded.