2026 Rankings

Best Trade Schools in Iowa

Data-driven rankings of 30 trade colleges in Iowa based on graduation rates, student outcomes, and affordability. No paid placements.

30 Schools RankedPowered by IPEDS Data

Showing 1–25 of 30 schools

68.7/ 100

PCI Academy-Ames

Ames, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:83%

Student-Faculty:6:1

Programs:4

Avg Tuition:$20,188

Financial Aid:94%

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66.9/ 100

Aveda Institute-Des Moines

West Des Moines, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:98%

Student-Faculty:11:1

Programs:4

Avg Tuition:$10,450

Financial Aid:88%

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63.3/ 100

Capri College-Dubuque

Dubuque, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:74%

Student-Faculty:7:1

Programs:6

Avg Tuition:$6,631

Financial Aid:75%

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60.7/ 100

Capri College-Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:77%

Student-Faculty:10:1

Programs:6

Avg Tuition:$6,631

Financial Aid:78%

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56.2/ 100

La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology

Mason City, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:71%

Student-Faculty:9:1

Programs:4

Avg Tuition:$8,011

Financial Aid:91%

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56.1/ 100

Western Iowa Tech Community College

Sioux City, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:50%

Student-Faculty:8:1

Programs:84

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:91%

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56.1/ 100

Northeast Iowa Community College

Calmar, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:40%

Student-Faculty:6:1

Programs:71

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:95%

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54.2/ 100

Indian Hills Community College

Ottumwa, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:43%

Student-Faculty:8:1

Programs:69

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:95%

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54.2/ 100

Northwest Iowa Community College

Sheldon, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:60%

Student-Faculty:8:1

Programs:34

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:81%

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#10

53.0/ 100

Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines

Des Moines, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:72%

Student-Faculty:11:1

Programs:4

Avg Tuition:$13,007

Financial Aid:92%

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#11

50.6/ 100

Capri College-Davenport

Davenport, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:63%

Student-Faculty:10:1

Programs:6

Avg Tuition:$6,631

Financial Aid:65%

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#12

49.4/ 100

La James International College-Ft Dodge

Fort Dodge, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:58%

Student-Faculty:7:1

Programs:5

Avg Tuition:$11,428

Financial Aid:84%

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#13

49.3/ 100

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:50%

Student-Faculty:10:1

Programs:48

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:87%

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#14

47.6/ 100

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:31%

Student-Faculty:8:1

Programs:51

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:91%

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#15

46.8/ 100

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:37%

Student-Faculty:12:1

Programs:61

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:97%

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#16

46.3/ 100

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:37%

Student-Faculty:9:1

Programs:52

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:83%

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#17

46.1/ 100

Southwestern Community College

Creston, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:44%

Student-Faculty:10:1

Programs:33

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:87%

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#18

45.8/ 100

SOHO Hair Academy

Council Bluffs, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:69%

Student-Faculty:7:1

Programs:1

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:94%

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#19

45.4/ 100

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:32%

Student-Faculty:10:1

Programs:94

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:84%

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#20

44.1/ 100

Eastern Iowa Community College District

Davenport, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:35%

Student-Faculty:11:1

Programs:68

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:83%

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#21

42.1/ 100

La James International College-Johnston

Johnston, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:65%

Student-Faculty:20:1

Programs:5

Avg Tuition:$11,428

Financial Aid:81%

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#22

41.1/ 100

North Iowa Area Community College

Mason City, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:40%

Student-Faculty:17:1

Programs:55

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:93%

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#23

40.8/ 100

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:28%

Student-Faculty:10:1

Programs:57

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:80%

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#24

40.1/ 100

La James International College-Davenport

Davenport, IA · Private Trade School

Grad Rate:58%

Student-Faculty:14:1

Programs:5

Avg Tuition:$14,398

Financial Aid:76%

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#25

37.7/ 100

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, IA · Public Institution

Grad Rate:35%

Student-Faculty:14:1

Programs:25

Avg Tuition:N/A

Financial Aid:93%

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Our rankings evaluate trade and vocational colleges using six weighted metrics derived from federal IPEDS data: graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, program breadth, institutional scale, financial accessibility, and affordability. Schools must meet minimum eligibility requirements to be ranked.

How are these rankings calculated? View Methodology