HomeIowaWelding schools › Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa · public · mainly awards associate degrees · 941 students · WeldingMachining & CNCHVACElectricianElectrical LinemanDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation MaintenanceMedical AssistingPractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)CosmetologyBarberingEMT & ParamedicRadiologic TechnologyCarpentryMassage Therapy

Avg net price / yr
$13,933
cheaper than 21% of comparable schools
Completion rate
48.4%
Median debt at completion
$12,000
Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)
$43,108
earns ~$3,093.9 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA is a public school that mainly awards associate degrees. With 941 students, it offers trade training in fields like HVAC, vehicle repair, and cosmetology. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

What to know

The average annual net price after aid is $13,933, which is a yearly cost rather than total debt. The median student debt at completion is $12,000, but the median earnings ten years after entry are $43,108. The reported completion rate is 48.4%, which may undercount students who transfer out of the community college system.

Net price is 30% above the Iowa median ($10,693) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 12% above the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

See what aid you may qualify for

19.1% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in Iowa.

We may share your info with matched school and program partners so they can contact you about enrollment. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy & editorial policy.

Programs & what graduates earn

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings 2 yrs after completion
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansassociate degree$33,993
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Servicesundergraduate certificate$24,035
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Carpentersundergraduate certificatenot reported
Carpentersassociate degreenot reported
Electrical and Power Transmission Installersassociate degreenot reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)undergraduate certificatenot reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)associate degreenot reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Precision Metal Workingundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professionsassociate degreenot reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistantsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Show all 39 other programs at this school
ProgramCredentialMedian earnings (2 yr after completion)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursingassociate degree$46,869
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanitiesassociate degree$21,508
Business Administration, Management and Operationsassociate degree$20,140
Agricultural Business and Managementassociate degreenot reported
Agricultural Mechanizationassociate degreenot reported
Agricultural Production Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Agricultural Production Operationsassociate degreenot reported
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Natural Resources Conservation and Researchassociate degreenot reported
Journalismundergraduate certificatenot reported
Radio, Television, and Digital Communicationassociate degreenot reported
Computer Programmingassociate degreenot reported
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Managementassociate degreenot reported
Electromechanical Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Environmental Control Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Energy Systems Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Energy Systems Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Legal Support Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Biology, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Psychology, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Criminal Justice and Correctionsassociate degreenot reported
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Air Transportationassociate degreenot reported
Design and Applied Artsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Design and Applied Artsassociate degreenot reported
Health and Medical Administrative Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professionsassociate degreenot reported
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professionsassociate degreenot reported
Accounting and Related Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Accounting and Related Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Hospitality Administration/Managementundergraduate certificatenot reported
Hospitality Administration/Managementassociate degreenot reported
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operationsassociate degreenot reported
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In Iowa:

Questions students ask

What programs are offered and at what credential level?
The school offers associate degrees in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies, Cosmetology, Electrical and Power Transmission Installers, Carpenters, and HVAC. It also offers undergraduate certificates in Somatic Bodywork, Carpenters, and HVAC, plus 46 other programs.
What do graduates of the Vehicle Maintenance program typically earn?
The median earnings two years after completion for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians graduates are $33,993.
How many students finish their program at Iowa Lakes Community College?
The reported completion rate is 48.4%. Note that for public community colleges, this rate may not include students who transfer to four-year institutions.
Is Iowa Lakes Community College a public or private school?
It is a public school.
How does student debt compare to the annual net price?
The median student debt at completion is $12,000, while the average annual net price is $13,933. Debt is a one-time figure at graduation, whereas net price is the cost each year.

Other options in Iowa

SchoolCityNet price / yrCompletionEarnings (10 yr)
Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny$11,17128%$41,018
Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport$14,01735.6%$39,060
Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo$9,64932.3%$42,849
Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwa$10,69342.8%$40,507
Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge$9,32835.8%$42,046
Iowa Western Community CollegeCouncil Bluffs$14,62930.8%$42,793
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 153533. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.