Career Training Path › Iowa › Northwest Iowa Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon, Iowa · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 603 W Park St, Sheldon, IA 51201 · Phone: (712) 324-5061 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Northwest Iowa Community College is a public trade school in Sheldon, Iowa offering lineman, LPN/LVN, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Northwest Iowa Community College has a 57.9% completion rate, below the state average of 63.6%, with median graduate debt of $9,500 and median earnings of $50,776 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Northwest Iowa Community College; the school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 16.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $65,310 | $100,200 | $103,490 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,550 | $62,630 | $70,840 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,100 | $50,510 | $67,200 |
| Medical records specialists | $38,910 | $50,640 | $61,920 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $43,710 | $59,680 | $71,570 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $54,360 | $65,930 | $79,390 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $45,590 | $55,090 | $60,200 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $36,140 | $44,860 | $48,670 |
| Electricians | $39,770 | $60,860 | $79,970 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $46,690 | $60,330 | $72,660 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 64 | $59,941 | $66,756 | $5,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 38 | not reported | not reported | $11,000 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 17 | $56,305 | $58,673 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 14 | $43,353 | $41,937 | $11,326 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 9 | $43,353 | $41,937 | $11,326 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 6 | $56,305 | $58,673 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, under 300 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 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
Northwest Iowa Community College is a public trade and career school located in Sheldon, Iowa, a remote-town setting. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its radiologic technology program also accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs. Among its 17 program families, the campus awards the most credentials in lineman schools (81 completers), LPN/LVN programs (38 completers), and auto mechanic schools (25 completers).
Federal data show a completion rate of 57.9%, which is below the state average of 63.6% for similar programs. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $9,500, and median earnings ten years after entry were $50,776. About 16.1% of students received Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 864 undergraduates and 221 trade completers overall, the mix of short-term certificate programs (like lineman and welding training) alongside longer allied-health tracks such as LPN and radiologic technology suggests options for both quick career entry and more extended clinical training; program length details themselves are not reported for this campus in federal data, so applicants should confirm specifics directly. Career changers weighing hands-on trades versus healthcare pathways may find either track here, but should verify current offerings, schedules, and licensing requirements with the school. To confirm accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome figures, prospective students can consult the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard or contact the college directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Northwest Iowa Community College offers 17 program families, with the most completers in lineman schools, LPN/LVN programs, and auto mechanic schools. Other program areas include welding, diesel mechanics, electrician training, medical billing and coding, pharmacy tech, radiology tech, and heavy equipment schools.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its radiologic technology program is separately accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
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. About 16.1% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 57.9%, which is below the Iowa state average of 63.6% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carry a median debt of $9,500, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $50,776, per the U.S. Department of Education 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) 324-5061 or visit https://www.nwicc.edu/ for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state and federal funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly to confirm program duration and schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?154129, and confirm accreditation status through the Higher Learning Commission.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both shorter trade certificates, such as lineman and welding training, and longer allied-health programs like LPN and radiologic technology, which may suit different career-change timelines, though specific scheduling for adult learners is not reported for this campus in federal data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Northwest Iowa Community College by phone at (712) 324-5061 or through its website at https://www.nwicc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against nearby schools is not reported in federal data; prospective students can use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Iowa
- 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
- Iowa Western Community CollegeCouncil Bluffs, IA · 40% completion
- North Iowa Area Community CollegeMason City, IA · 61% 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.