Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, Dental Assistant and Diesel Mechanic and 10 more
- Average net price
- $7,005
- Completion rate
- 41%
- Type
- Public
Trade Schools in Iowa
Iowa has 37 schools with trade and career programs in this directory: 16 public and 21 private. Together they graduated 8,436 students from these programs in the latest federal count.
Published program tuition runs from $4,170 to $27,988, with a median of $13,694 across the 54 programs that report a program price.
Graduates earned a median of $42,912 one year after finishing, where the Department of Education reports earnings for the program.
The largest programs by graduates are at Des Moines Area Community College, Western Iowa Tech Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College District.
37
Schools
8,436
Graduates last year
$13,694
Median program tuition
$42,912
Median earnings, 1 yr after
Trade Schools by city in Iowa
All 37 schools in Iowa
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, CDL Truck Driving and CNA and 11 more
- Average net price
- $9,042
- Completion rate
- 41%
- Type
- Public
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, CNA and Dental Assistant and 8 more
- Average net price
- $12,958
- Completion rate
- 45%
- Type
- Public
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Aviation Maintenance, Carpentry and Dental Assistant and 10 more
- Average net price
- $12,073
- Completion rate
- 47%
- Type
- Public
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, CNA and EMT and Paramedic and 4 more
- Average net price
- $12,346
- Completion rate
- 54%
- Type
- Public
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Aviation Maintenance, CNA and Dental Assistant and 8 more
- Average net price
- $16,324
- Completion rate
- 44%
- Type
- Public
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, CNA and Cosmetology and 8 more
- Average net price
- $12,725
- Completion rate
- 41%
- Type
- Public
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, CNA and Diesel Mechanic and 6 more
- Average net price
- $8,510
- Completion rate
- 62%
- Type
- Public
Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Electrician and EMT and Paramedic and 5 more
- Average net price
- $12,665
- Completion rate
- 62%
- Type
- Public
Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, Dental Assistant and Diesel Mechanic and 5 more
- Average net price
- $15,128
- Completion rate
- 50%
- Type
- Public
Southwestern Community College
Creston, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, CNA and Electrician and 2 more
- Average net price
- $12,751
- Completion rate
- 66%
- Type
- Public
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Aviation Maintenance, Carpentry and Dental Assistant and 9 more
- Average net price
- $11,505
- Completion rate
- 41%
- Type
- Public
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, Cosmetology and Dental Assistant and 10 more
- Average net price
- $11,757
- Completion rate
- 55%
- Type
- Public
Aveda Institute-Des Moines
West Des Moines, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician and Massage Therapy
- Average net price
- $20,991
- Completion rate
- 86%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Marshalltown Community College
Marshalltown, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Dental Assistant, Lineworker and LPN and 3 more
- Average net price
- $7,234
- Completion rate
- 38%
- Type
- Public
Capri College-Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $15,567
- Completion rate
- 90%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines, IA
- Programs
- EMT and Paramedic and Medical Assistant
- Average net price
- $25,670
- Completion rate
- 55%
- Type
- Private nonprofit
PCI Academy-Ames
Ames, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician and Massage Therapy
- Average net price
- $22,697
- Completion rate
- 83%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Capri College-Davenport
Davenport, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $12,903
- Completion rate
- 86%
- Type
- Private for-profit
La James International College-Davenport
Davenport, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $19,663
- Completion rate
- 83%
- Type
- Private for-profit
La James International College-Johnston
Johnston, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $18,719
- Completion rate
- 77%
- Type
- Private for-profit
PCI Academy-Iowa City
Iowa City, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician and Massage Therapy
- Average net price
- $22,340
- Completion rate
- 92%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Capri College-Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $14,882
- Completion rate
- 97%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician and Massage Therapy
- Average net price
- $12,542
- Completion rate
- 100%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Iowa Lakes Community College
Estherville, IA
- Programs
- Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, Cosmetology and Electrician and 6 more
- Average net price
- $10,553
- Completion rate
- 46%
- Type
- Public
Carlson College of Massage Therapy
Anamosa, IA
- Programs
- Massage Therapy
- Average net price
- $13,125
- Completion rate
- 100%
- Type
- Private for-profit
La James International College-Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $23,813
- Completion rate
- 85%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Orion Technical College
Davenport, IA
- Programs
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant and Medical Billing and Coding
- Average net price
- $24,072
- Completion rate
- 67%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Ellsworth Community College
Iowa Falls, IA
- Programs
- LPN, Medical Assistant and Welding
- Average net price
- $12,300
- Completion rate
- 43%
- Type
- Public
The Salon Professional Academy-Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls, IA
- Programs
- Barber
- Average net price
- $12,660
- Completion rate
- 69%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School
Urbandale, IA
- Programs
- Massage Therapy
- Average net price
- $40,463
- Completion rate
- 92%
- Type
- Private for-profit
La James International College-Ft Dodge
Fort Dodge, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology, Esthetician, Massage Therapy and Nail Technician
- Average net price
- $17,652
- Completion rate
- 79%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Ross College-Davenport
Davenport, IA
- Programs
- Medical Assistant
- Average net price
- $23,429
- Completion rate
- 56%
- Type
- Private for-profit
Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology and Esthetician
- Average net price
- $9,466
- Completion rate
- 100%
- Type
- Private for-profit
SOHO Hair Academy
Council Bluffs, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology
- Average net price
- $14,400
- Completion rate
- 50%
- Type
- Private for-profit
American Hair Academy
Mt. Pleasant, IA
- Programs
- Cosmetology
- Average net price
- $11,157
- Completion rate
- 74%
- Type
- Private for-profit
St Luke's College
Sioux City, IA
- Programs
- Phlebotomy
- Average net price
- $31,618
- Completion rate
- 25%
- Type
- Private nonprofit
Common questions
How much does trade school training cost in Iowa?
The median published tuition is $13,694 (range $4,170 to $27,988, 54 programs reporting). The lowest listed prices are at Capri College-Dubuque ($4,170), Capri College-Davenport ($4,170) and Capri College-Cedar Rapids ($4,170). Public community and technical colleges often charge less but report tuition per year rather than per program, so check each school's net price calculator.
How long does trade school school take?
Programs that report a length take a median of 7 months to finish (4 to 16 months). Certificates are shorter; associate degrees usually take about two years.
How much do trade school graduates earn?
Across 154 programs with reported outcomes, the median graduate earned $42,912 one year after finishing (U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard). Earnings vary by program and local labor market.
Are there public trade school programs in Iowa?
Yes. 16 public schools offer it, including Des Moines Area Community College, Western Iowa Tech Community College, Eastern Iowa Community College District, Kirkwood Community College and Southeastern Community College.
Data: U.S. Department of Education: IPEDS 2024-25 and College Scorecard (October 2026 release). Listings change; confirm details with the school before you go. How this directory is built.