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North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, Iowa · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 500 College Dr, Mason City, IA 50401 · Phone: (641) 423-1264 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
North Iowa Area Community College is a public trade and career school in Mason City, Iowa, offering CNA classes, welding, and EMT training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
North Iowa Area Community College has a 60.5% completion rate, near the Iowa state average of 63.6%, with median graduate debt of $9,500 and median earnings of $43,462 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for North Iowa Area Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used, and 23.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $35,620 | $39,350 | $45,650 |
| 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 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,040 | $60,680 | $75,950 |
| Medical assistants | $36,730 | $45,480 | $48,030 |
| Construction laborers | $38,180 | $48,490 | $58,470 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,550 | $62,630 | $70,840 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $43,710 | $59,680 | $71,570 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $54,360 | $65,930 | $79,390 |
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 | 107 | $42,449 | $38,289 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 51 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | $27,439 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 16 | $33,451 | $32,382 | $6,238 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 15 | not reported | $27,439 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | $42,449 | $38,289 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 14 | $33,451 | $32,382 | $6,238 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | $27,439 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | $36,183 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 10 | $34,937 | $39,369 | $12,000 |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | $42,682 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | $27,874 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, under 300 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | $27,439 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
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
North Iowa Area Community College is a public community college in Mason City, Iowa. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can apply for FAFSA-based aid such as Pell Grants. The college holds accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Its trade and career training programs span 19 program areas, with the highest completer counts in CNA classes, welding schools, and EMT & paramedic training.
Federal data show a completion rate of 60.5%, which is near the Iowa state average of 63.6%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $43,462. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 23.6% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of students with financial need.
This campus, located in a fringe rural setting, serves both first-time students and career changers pursuing programs such as welding, EMT training, HVAC, diesel mechanics, and medical assisting among its 19 program families. Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students should contact the school directly to confirm schedules and format. To verify accreditation status and review the latest outcome figures, prospective students can consult the Higher Learning Commission and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
North Iowa Area Community College offers 19 program families including CNA classes, welding schools, EMT & paramedic training, HVAC, diesel mechanics, and medical assisting. The top programs by completer count are CNA classes, welding, and EMT training.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 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 students can apply for FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 60.5%, which is near the Iowa state average of 63.6%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $43,462.
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 (641) 423-1264 or visit niacc.edu for current tuition information.
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 tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state funding, compared to 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 directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status through the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?154059.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program lengths and specific scheduling details needed to assess career-changer fit are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school to discuss options for adult learners.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for program-specific certification information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact North Iowa Area Community College at (641) 423-1264 or visit their website at niacc.edu for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools offering the same trade programs is not reported in this listing; consult the College Scorecard to compare institutions in the region.
Nearby trade and career schools in Iowa
- La James College of Hairstyling and CosmetologyMason City, IA · 77% completion
- Northland Distributing Group, Inc.Mason City, 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
- Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington, IA · 44% completion
- Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge, IA · 42% 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.