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Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, Iowa · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 2700 College Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 · Phone: (712) 325-3200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Jan 2025 · Warning · American Dental Association; Aug 2025 · Accreditation Reaffirmed: Warning Removed. 2 sanction actions in the window.
Iowa Western Community College is a public trade and career school in Council Bluffs, Iowa, offering LPN/LVN, welding, and CNA programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Iowa Western Community College has a 40.0% completion rate, below the state average of 63.6%, with median graduate debt of $11,033 and median earnings of $42,793 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 24.3% 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 |
| Nursing assistants | $35,620 | $39,350 | $45,650 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $33,740 | $69,890 | $80,510 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $36,770 | $47,990 | $59,380 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,040 | $60,680 | $75,950 |
| Electricians | $39,770 | $60,860 | $79,970 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $45,510 | $63,890 | $85,320 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $43,710 | $59,680 | $71,570 |
| Dental hygienists | $78,320 | $84,010 | $93,880 |
| Dental assistants | $39,360 | $48,430 | $57,620 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,100 | $50,510 | $67,200 |
| Medical assistants | $36,730 | $45,480 | $48,030 |
| Surgical technologists | $47,280 | $60,540 | $62,880 |
| Machinists | $44,500 | $57,540 | $61,530 |
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, 1–2 years | 81 | not reported | $35,416 | $12,229 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 80 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 35 | not reported | $35,416 | $12,229 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 17 | $56,371 | $52,822 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | $6,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 11 | $41,886 | $36,132 | $13,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | $6,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $37,176 | $41,937 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | $6,500 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | $6,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 7 | $41,886 | $36,132 | $13,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | $41,886 | $36,132 | $13,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | $35,416 | $12,229 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
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
Iowa Western Community College is a public trade and career training campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here (Title IV eligible). The college holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditation from the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Among its 25 program families, the most-awarded trade programs are LPN/LVN programs (83 completions), welding (80 completions), and CNA classes (35 completions).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 40.0%, which is below the state average of 63.6%. Graduates who borrowed carry a median debt of $11,033. Median earnings ten years after entry are $42,793. About 24.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus offers a mix of shorter certificate-style trade programs (LPN, CNA, welding) alongside longer allied-health tracks tied to dental and physical therapy accreditation, which may suit adult career-changers seeking faster entry points as well as those pursuing more clinically regulated fields. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard and by contacting the school, since program length, cost, and licensing requirements are not fully detailed in the available data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Iowa Western Community College offers 25 program families, with the most completions in LPN/LVN programs (83), welding (80), and CNA classes (35). Other listed families include HVAC, electrician, plumbing, diesel mechanic, dental hygiene, dental assisting, auto mechanic, medical assisting, surgical technology, and CNC machining.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Its accreditors include the Higher Learning Commission, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 40.0%, which is below the Iowa state average of 63.6%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $11,033, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $42,793, 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 at (712) 325-3200 or visit iwcc.edu for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means lower published tuition for in-state residents and public accountability standards compared to for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school directly to confirm schedules and duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review the school's federal outcome data directly on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?153630, or contact the accreditors listed to confirm current status.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The mix of shorter certificate programs like CNA and welding alongside longer allied-health tracks suggests options for both quick entry and more extended training, though individual fit depends on personal goals not detailed in this data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school at (712) 325-3200 to ask about specific program licensure needs.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Iowa Western Community College at (712) 325-3200 or through its website, https://www.iwcc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?153630 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Iowa
- SOHO Hair AcademyCouncil Bluffs, IA · 77% completion
- IGNITE PathwaysWoodbine, IA
- Iowa Western Community College HarlanHarlan, IA
- Logan-Magnolia Community SchoolsLogan, IA
- Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA · 39% completion
- Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City, IA · 50% completion
- Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids, IA · 43% completion
- Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport, IA · 45% completion
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.