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Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, Iowa · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 2006 Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023 · Phone: (515) 964-6200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Des Moines Area Community College is a public trade and career school in Ankeny, Iowa, offering LPN/LVN, welding, and EMT programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Des Moines Area Community College has a 39.2% completion rate, below Iowa's 63.6% state average, with median graduate debt of $11,000 and median earnings of $41,018 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Des Moines Area Community College; the school does accept federal financial aid, and about 15.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,550 | $62,630 | $70,840 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $45,590 | $55,090 | $60,200 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,600 | $40,660 | $47,870 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,100 | $50,510 | $67,200 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $36,770 | $47,990 | $59,380 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $43,710 | $59,680 | $71,570 |
| Phlebotomists | $35,970 | $38,240 | $44,120 |
| Dental assistants | $39,360 | $48,430 | $57,620 |
| Dental hygienists | $78,320 | $84,010 | $93,880 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,040 | $60,680 | $75,950 |
| Construction laborers | $38,180 | $48,490 | $58,470 |
| Electricians | $39,770 | $60,860 | $79,970 |
| Medical assistants | $36,730 | $45,480 | $48,030 |
| Machinists | $44,500 | $57,540 | $61,530 |
| Medical records specialists | $38,910 | $50,640 | $61,920 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Iowa (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 686 | not reported | $33,281 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 512 | not reported | $33,281 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 186 | $40,759 | $35,060 | $7,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 143 | $30,604 | $36,938 | $5,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 86 | $30,604 | $36,938 | $5,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 63 | $30,604 | $36,938 | $5,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 53 | $41,813 | $44,244 | $8,770 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 32 | $30,970 | $28,236 | $8,334 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 24 | not reported | $25,967 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | $33,532 | $31,762 | $5,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 21 | $51,133 | $55,964 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 19 | $41,529 | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | $30,604 | $36,938 | $5,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | not reported | $33,281 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 18 | $41,813 | $44,244 | $8,770 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $34,614 | $32,382 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 12 | $51,059 | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | $35,933 | $31,762 | $10,265 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | $30,604 | $36,938 | $5,500 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 8 | $51,059 | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | $41,813 | $44,244 | $8,770 |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 2 | $44,272 | $51,482 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | $32,772 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | $28,055 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $40,759 | $35,060 | $7,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | $41,813 | $44,244 | $8,770 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Des Moines Area Community College is a public community college in Ankeny, Iowa, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, applies at this campus. Among its 33 program families, the campus awards the most credentials in LPN / LVN programs, welding, and EMT & paramedic training.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 39.2%, which is below the Iowa state average of 63.6%. Graduates carry a median debt of $11,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,018. About 15.7% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a broad program list spanning healthcare, skilled trades, and technical fields, this campus can suit both first-time students and adult career changers, though specific program lengths and schedule formats are not reported for this campus in federal data and should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcome figures through the Higher Learning Commission and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Des Moines Area Community College offers 33 program families, most notably LPN / LVN programs, welding, and EMT & paramedic training.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 39.2%, which is below the Iowa state average of 63.6%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $11,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,018, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public community college, which typically means lower published tuition and eligibility for state and federal funding compared with for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (515) 964-6200 or visit its website for program-specific schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the provided scorecard link.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a wide range of short and technical programs across healthcare and trades, though specific scheduling details for career changers are not reported for this campus in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; check with the relevant program accreditor or the school for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Des Moines Area Community College at (515) 964-6200 or through its website, https://www.dmacc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard to compare institutions directly.
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See all trade and career schools in Iowa or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.