20 trade schools · Iowa
Trade schools in Iowa
Iowa has 20 trade schools in our data (6 public, 13 for-profit), and 34 schools in all, counting community colleges, offer certificate or associate programs in the trades we track. Median yearly tuition at trade schools here is $14,988.
Programs by trade in Iowa
Number of schools, including community colleges, with a certificate or associate program in each field.
All 20 trade schools in Iowa
Schools that mostly award certificates. Click a heading to sort.
| School | Type | Students | Tuition (2025-26) | Avg net price | Completion rate | Earnings 10 yrs after entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveda Institute-Des MoinesWest Des Moines | For-profit trade school | 244 | $22,100 | $20,991 | 86% | $38,480 |
| Capri College-Cedar RapidsCedar Rapids | For-profit trade school | 129 | $19,180 | $14,882 | 97% | $35,196 |
| Capri College-DavenportDavenport | For-profit trade school | 135 | $19,180 | $12,903 | 86% | $30,786 |
| Capri College-DubuqueDubuque | For-profit trade school | 165 | $19,180 | $15,567 | 90% | $35,092 |
| College of Hair DesignCedar Falls | For-profit trade school | 91 | $16,900 | $12,660 | 69% | $22,039 |
| Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny | Public community or technical college | 10,446 | $6,030 | $7,005 | 41% | $46,331 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport | Public community or technical college | 3,520 | $5,016 | $12,958 | 45% | $43,427 |
| Emmaus Bible CollegeDubuque | Nonprofit trade school | 224 | $21,350 | $9,580 | n/a | $43,618 |
| Iowa School of Beauty-Des MoinesDes Moines | For-profit trade school | 74 | $9,172 | $12,542 | 100% | $34,360 |
| Iowa School of Beauty-Sioux CitySioux City | For-profit trade school | 67 | $19,756 | $15,073 | 100% | $34,944 |
| La James International College-Cedar FallsCedar Falls | For-profit trade school | 54 | $11,509 | $23,813 | 85% | $36,188 |
| La James International College-DavenportDavenport | For-profit trade school | 127 | $11,509 | $19,663 | 83% | $33,230 |
| La James International College-JohnstonJohnston | For-profit trade school | 141 | $23,390 | $18,719 | 77% | $28,378 |
| North Iowa Area Community CollegeMason City | Public community or technical college | 1,320 | $6,803 | $8,510 | 62% | $44,685 |
| PCI Academy-AmesAmes | For-profit trade school | 176 | $14,988 | $22,697 | 83% | $32,830 |
| PCI Academy-Iowa CityIowa City | For-profit trade school | 113 | $14,988 | $22,340 | 92% | $32,830 |
| SOHO Hair AcademyCouncil Bluffs | For-profit trade school | 66 | $22,131 | $14,400 | 50% | $32,823 |
| Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington | Public community or technical college | 1,699 | $6,660 | $12,346 | 54% | $41,635 |
| Southwestern Community CollegeCreston | Public community or technical college | 729 | $8,352 | $12,751 | 66% | $43,908 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City | Public community or technical college | 2,647 | $5,306 | $9,042 | 41% | $44,484 |
Colleges in Iowa with the most trade programs
- Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge: 14 trade fields
- Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids: 14 trade fields
- Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa: 13 trade fields
- Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville: 13 trade fields
- Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar: 13 trade fields
- Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs: 10 trade fields
- Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo: 9 trade fields
- Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown: 8 trade fields
- Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon: 8 trade fields
- Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Falls: 3 trade fields
- Mercy College of Health Sciences, Des Moines: 3 trade fields
- St Luke's College, Sioux City: 2 trade fields
Cities with the most trade schools: Davenport (3).
Frequently asked questions
How many trade schools are in Iowa?
20 schools in Iowa mostly award certificates, and 34 schools including community colleges offer programs in the 19 trades we track.
How much does trade school cost in Iowa?
The median trade school in Iowa charges $14,988 a year in tuition and fees (2025-26). Public schools and community colleges usually cost less; compare the tuition column above.
What is the cheapest trade school in Iowa?
Among trade schools with a reported price, Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport has the lowest yearly tuition and fees: $5,016.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.