HomeIowaWelding schools › Southwestern Community College

Southwestern Community College

Creston, Iowa · public · mainly awards certificates · 729 students · WeldingMachining & CNCElectricianElectrical LinemanDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation MaintenancePractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)Carpentry

Avg net price / yr
$9,871
cheaper than 40% of comparable schools
Completion rate
46.2%
Median debt at completion
$10,975
Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)
$40,129
earns ~$4,065.3 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA is a public school that mainly awards certificates. It serves students seeking trades training with an average annual net price of $9,871 after aid.

What to know

The school reports a completion rate of 46.2%, which is lower than national averages but reflects the nature of certificate programs where many students transfer out. Typical student debt at completion is $10,975, which requires scrutiny against a median earnings figure of $40,129 reported ten years after entry.

Net price is 8% below the Iowa median ($10,693) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 5% above the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

See what aid you may qualify for

23.8% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in Iowa.

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Programs & what graduates earn

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings 2 yrs after completion
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansassociate degree$26,353
Carpentersundergraduate certificatenot reported
Carpentersassociate degreenot reported
Electrical and Power Transmission Installersundergraduate certificatenot reported
Electrical and Power Transmission Installersassociate degreenot reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Precision Metal Workingundergraduate certificatenot reported
Precision Metal Workingassociate degreenot reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistantsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Show all 27 other programs at this school
ProgramCredentialMedian earnings (2 yr after completion)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursingassociate degree$46,833
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanitiesassociate degree$20,824
Agricultural Business and Managementassociate degreenot reported
Agricultural Production Operationsassociate degreenot reported
Animal Sciencesassociate degreenot reported
Plant Sciencesassociate degreenot reported
Computer Software and Media Applicationsassociate degreenot reported
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunicationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunicationsassociate degreenot reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methodsassociate degreenot reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
English Language and Literature, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Biology, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnessassociate degreenot reported
Psychology, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Criminal Justice and Correctionsassociate degreenot reported
Sociologyassociate degreenot reported
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Musicassociate degreenot reported
Business Administration, Management and Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business Administration, Management and Operationsassociate degreenot reported
Accounting and Related Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Management Information Systems and Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Historyassociate degreenot 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 levels?
The school offers Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies, Carpenters, Electrical and Power Transmission Installers, Precision Metal Working, and other fields at both associate degree and undergraduate certificate levels, plus 28 more programs.
How much do Vehicle Maintenance and Repair graduates typically earn?
Graduates of the Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians program reported median earnings of $26,353 two years after completion.
How many students finish their studies there?
The reported completion rate for the school is 46.2%. For public community colleges, this number can undercount students who transfer to other institutions.
Is Southwestern Community College a public or private school?
Southwestern Community College is a public school located in Creston, IA.
How does student debt compare to the cost of attendance?
The median student debt at completion is $10,975, while the average annual net price after aid is $9,871. Do not compare total debt to the annual net price as they measure different timeframes.

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 Lakes Community CollegeEstherville$13,93348.4%$43,108
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 154396. 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.