Best Trade Schools in Iowa for 2025

Learn about some of the top trade schools in Iowa and what they have to offer. Find answers to commonly asked questions you may have regarding attending a trade school.

Interested in attending a trade school in Iowa? Perhaps you're curious if there are any trade schools close to where you live.

Perhaps you'd like to find out about the best ones in your state. If so, keep reading.

In this article, we'll talk about some of the best trade schools in Iowa and provide some basic information about each one.

Featured Trade Schools in Iowa

Iowa doesn't have many specific trade schools; however, many of its community colleges provide training in a wide variety of trades.

Keep reading to learn more about the top ten schools in Iowa where you can learn a trade.

1. Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown Community College is a part of the Iowa Valley Community College District.

It is located in Marshalltown but has a second campus in Grinnell, and it enrolls around 1,700 students.

Dozens of associate degrees and certificate programs are available. Some of the technical program options include:

Advanced manufacturing
Welding
Electro-mechanical
CDL driving
Natural gas technician

The school offers some online classes and several online degrees, but most of these are in academic fields to transfer to a four-year degree. Most trade programs must be completed in person.

2. Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa Lakes Community College is headquartered in Estherville. It has additional campuses in Spirit Lake, Emmetsburg, Algona, and Spencer. Total enrollment is around 2,300 students.

A wide array of programs are available; some lead to associate degrees, while others lead to diplomas or certificates. Trade programs include:

Aviation and airport management
Boat and watercraft technician
Construction technology
Practical nursing
Paralegal and legal studies

Some of these programs can be completed online, while others must be completed in person or a hybrid format.

3. Northwest Iowa Community College

Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon. The school has been around since 1966 and enrolls about 1,600 students.

Various technical trade programs are available, including:

Medical coding
Powerline technology
Information technology
Design technology
Diesel technology

Some programs can be completed online. Those with more technical or physical components must be completed in person.

4. Hawkeye Community College

Hawkeye Community College is headquartered in Waterloo but has several additional campuses in surrounding regions. It opened its doors in 1966.

Some of the vocational programs you can choose from include:

Veterinary assisting
Construction equipment operator
Bookkeeping specialist
Heating and air conditioning
Occupational therapy assistant

Some of these programs are available online, though many of the available trade programs must be completed in person.

5. Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College is a large network of schools in central Iowa, with its headquarters located in Ankeny. It enrolls more than 35,000 students.

Many trade programs are available, including:

Retail management
Application developer
Accounting specialist
Baking
Basic hydraulics

As with other schools on this list, most vocational programs must be completed in person, but some are available online.

6. Southwestern Community College

Southwestern Community College has its main campus in Creston. Additional campuses are located in Osceola and Red Oak.

Choose from various technical associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Areas of study include:

Auto collision repair/refinish
Carpentry and building trades
Livestock production
Electrical technology
Nursing and nurse assisting

Though the school offers a few online programs, all trade programs must be completed in person or via hybrid learning.

7. Western Iowa Tech Community College

Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in Sioux City, though it has several additional campuses throughout the region. It enrolls around 6,800 students.

Students have a wide range of vocational programs to choose from, including:

Firefighter/paramedic
Auto mechanic
Concrete specialties
Industrial drafting technology
Physical therapist assistant

A few of these programs are available online, though most require at least partial in-person attendance.

8. Iowa Central Community College

Iowa Central Community College is headquartered in Fort Dodge but has additional campuses in Storm Lake and Webster City. It enrolls around 5,000 students.

Choose from a wide array of technical programs, including:

Computer-integrated fabrication technology
Culinary arts
Medical laboratory technician
Dental hygiene
Industrial mechanics

Though various individual classes are available online, all trade programs at Iowa Central Community College must be completed in person or a blended format.

9. St. Luke's College

St. Luke's College is located in Sioux City and is affiliated with UnityPoint Health. It is a vocational school for training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Programs include:

Nursing
Respiratory care
Radiologic technology

Bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificates are all available. These programs are typically completed either partially or entirely in person.

10. La' James International College

La' James International College is a trade school with several locations in Iowa. These include Des Moines, Cedar Falls, and Davenport.

Available training programs include:

Massage therapy
Cosmetology
Esthetics
Nail technology
Teacher training

All programs are completed in person.

Common Trade Jobs in Iowa

There are many different trades you can pursue, but what are some of the most common trade jobs in Iowa? The following jobs are some of the most in-demand fields in your state:

How Much Does Trade School Cost in Iowa?

The cost of learning a trade in Iowa will vary by program and school.

Generally, shorter programs will cost less than longer programs, and in-state students pay lower tuition rates than out-of-state students.

Among the schools on this list, tuition and fees range from $4,200 to $6,500 a year. Most trade programs take from half a year to two years to complete.

Are There Online Trade Schools in Iowa?

Several of the schools outlined above provide some online classes and even some fully online programs. These schools include:

Northwest Iowa Community College
Des Moines Area Community College
Iowa Lakes Community College

Explore Trade Schools Today

If you're ready to begin a new trade in Iowa, check out the schools listed above to find the right training program for you.