10 Best Trade Schools inIowa

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Choosing a school can be very bothersome and time-consuming.

A traditional approach many students choose to take is going to a traditional four-year college.

However, traditional education isn’t for everyone.

Some students might excel in shorter programs that focus on teaching specialized skills.

That’s where trade school come in handy.

Unlike universities, trade schools offer a cheaper and shorter way of working in a potentially lucrative industry.

If you find this type of schooling more attractive, then look no more.

Below, you’ll find a list of amazing vocational institutions ready to take on new students.


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State FlagTrade Schools by City


1Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa Lakes Community College offers so many different courses that it’s impossible not to find one suitable for your interests.

They take pride in their flexible curriculum, allowing students to choose between full-time and part-time study programs.

This school also offers online classes, weekend classes, as well as evening classes.

They aim to provide the utmost quality of education for everyone and everyone.

Iowa Lakes is one of the best colleges in the country, praised and loved by many former, current, and prospective students.

Enrollment: The average tuition fee for Iowa Lakes Community College is $5,504+

Fees: All applicants must submit an application form and bring a high school diploma.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Accounting Specialist
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Administrative Support Specialist
  • Agribusiness Technology
  • Agriculture Production Technology
  • Auto Collision & Paint Repair Technology
  • Automotive Technology
  • Aviation/Airport Management
  • Boat and Watercraft Technician
  • Business Administration & Management
  • Business Specialist
  • Computer Programming
  • Construction Technology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Digital, Social & Broadcast Productions
  • Electrical Technology
  • Engineering Technology
  • Environmental Studies
  • Farm Equipment & Diesel Technology
  • Game Design & Development
  • Graphic Design
  • Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
  • Hotel & Restaurant Management
  • Human Services/Disability Studies
  • Marine Service Technology
  • Massage Therapy
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Office Technology
  • Nursing A.S.
  • Paralegal/Legal Studies
  • Parts Sales & Inventory Control
  • Photography
  • Powersports & Power Equipment Technology
  • Sales & Marketing Management
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Surgical Technology
  • Veterinary Technician
  • Water Quality Technician
  • Web Development & Design
  • Welding Diploma
  • Wind Energy & Turbine Technology

Contact information:


2Midwest Technical Institute

Midwest Technical Institute is an educational facility that offers a wide variety of programs in the field of mechanical trades and health career.

All the courses are very prospective, with a high probability of being lucrative in the future.

Initially founded in 1995, this school created profuse amounts of field and industry experts.

They offer multiple schedule options because they want to be flexible and accessible for students from all backgrounds.

Midwest Technical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges. It’s also a participant in the US Department of Education’s Federal Financing Aid Program.

Their Medical Assisting Programs are also accredited by CAAHEP, while the HVAC/R program holds the HVAC excellence accreditation.

Enrollment: There aren’t any special requirements. Virtually all applicants are accepted.

Fees: Tuition fees for each course go as follows:

  • Basic Nursing Assistant (7 weeks) – $1,250
  • Dental Assisting Program (35 weeks) – $15,200
  • HVAC/R-MAR Program (35 weeks) – $15,200
  • Journeyman Welder Program (30 weeks) – $15,200
  • Journeyman Welder II Program (40 weeks) – $18,400
  • Massage Therapy (36 weeks) – $12,500
  • Medical Assisting Program (35 weeks) – $15,200
  • Medical Coding Specialist Program (35 weeks) – $15,200
  • Pharmacy Technician Program (35 weeks) – $15,200

 The school offers the following courses:

  • Dental assisting
  • Phlebotomy course
  • Medical assisting
  • Basic nursing assistant
  • Pharmacy technician
  • Medical coding specialist
  • Massage therapy
  • Journeyman welder
  • Journeyman welder II
  • HVAC/R-MAR technician
  • CDL Training Course
  • Professional truck driving
  • Cosmetology
  • Continuing education

Contact information:


3Siouxland Pipe Welding School

Did you know that welding is one of the highest-paid jobs in skilled trades?

If you find a great educational institution to gain and develop your skills, you just might become a part of this lucrative industry.

Luckily, Siouxland Pipe Welding School offers some fantastic courses in multiple fields of welding.

Their training is of superior quality thanks to Gaylon Parker, one of the instructors at this facility.

He’s a master welder, with 20 years of experience in the welding industry.

The course is rapid and thorough, lasting only four months.

Upon completion, students will immediately be prepared to become a part of the pipe welding profession.

Enrollment: All applicants must fill in an application form. They also have to be in good health to operate the equipment.

Fees: Call their admissions office for further information.

The school offers the following courses:

  • SMAW Pipe Welding Certificate Program
  • GTAW Pipe Welding Certificate Program
  • GTAW/SMAW Combo-pipe Welding Certificate Program

Contact information:


4Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School

Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School was established in 1999.

Since then, it has welcomed and educated a vast amount of aspiring massage therapy professionals.

This isn’t just a regular school that focuses on dry knowledge.

Here, self-development is very important as well.

Individuals will learn how to take care of themselves first, and then transfer that energy onto their customers.

Their staff is very experienced in multiple aspects of massage therapy, from massage to athletics.

Furthermore, their program has been accredited by COMTA, so have no doubts that their curriculum meets and exceeds all national standards.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • They must be at least 16 years of age
  • Have to be both physically and mentally capable to practice bodywork
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Provide a government-issued photo ID
  • Submit an application form.
  • Pay a non-refundable fee

Fees: The tuition fee is $14,284

The school offers the following courses:

  • Massage Certification
  • Core Curriculum
  • Career Tracks
  • Career Electives
  • CEU’s & Advanced Education
  • Certificate of Excellence Programs
  • Reflexology Certification

Contact information:


5Iowa School of Beauty

Iowa School of Beauty is a family-operated business with almost a century-year old tradition.

The faculty is fantastic and very passionate about their work with students.

They strive for excellence and will stop at nothing to provide beauty enthusiasts with the highest-quality education.

This school is also nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.

Upon completion, prospective beauty professionals will be able to take the Iowa State Board Test, become licensed, and ready to work.

Beauty is a very lucrative, multi-billion dollar industry. That means that it can be a brilliant career choice for aspiring cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians, and massage therapists.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • They must have a high school diploma or GED
  • They have to pay a non-refundable $100 application fee
  • Must be in good health
  • Provide a state-issued ID or driver’s license
  • Bring a copy of their social security card

Fees: The prices for each of the courses go as follows:

  • Cosmetology – $19,998
  • Esthetics – $10,025
  • Nail technology – $4,452
  • Massage therapy – $11,150

The school offers the following courses:

  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
  • Nail technology
  • Massage therapy

Contact information:


6Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa University is a community that’s been operating since 1853.

Thanks to their educational excellence, they are nowadays known for being a very reputable institution with thousands of satisfied students.

Expectedly, their programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, approved by the Louisiana Higher Education Board, as well as the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board and Iowa Department of Education.

They offer an abundance of useful courses, making sure that they have something for everyone.

This renowned institution offers various financial aid programs and scholarships for students who meet the criteria.

Enrollment: All applicants must fill in the application form. They also have to have a high school diploma or GED.

Fees: The cost of attending this school is around $30,810. They also offer scholarships, financing plans, and student aid programs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Accounting
  • Agricultural Business
  • All Science
  • Art
  • Athletic Training
  • Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts
  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Chemistry
  • Communication Studies
  • Conservation Management
  • Criminal Justice
  • Emergency and Disaster Management
  • English
  • Environmental Science
  • Exercise and Sport Studies
  • Financial Management
  • Forensic Science
  • Graphic Design
  • Health Services Administration
  • History
  • Human Resources Management
  • Human Services
  • Information Systems
  • Information Technology
  • Life Science
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Mortuary Science
  • Nursing, RN-BSN
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration
  • Social Science
  • Sociology
  • Software Engineering
  • Teacher Education Program

Contact information:

  • Upper Iowa University
  • Address: 605 Washington St, Fayette, IA 52142
  • Phone: 800-553-4150
  • Website: https://uiu.edu/

7The Salon Professional Academy

The Salon Professional Academy inspires individuals to pursue a career in beauty, an industry that is filled with innovation and plenty of lucrative opportunities.

They want to maximize one’s potential and teach them amazing artistry through a dynamic curriculum.

This school follows the latest industry trends, uses state-of-the-art technology, and teaches modern techniques.

The facilities are very well-equipped, and students will get an opportunity to test their skills in a real-world working environment.

Besides being an educational institution, The Salon Professional Academy also owns successful spas and beauty salon, further proving their knowledge and experience in the industry.

This academy is a Certified Redken Business Resource, and the only beauty school recognized by Redken for excellence in education.

Enrollment: All applicants must have a high school diploma or GED

Fees: The tuition fee for this school is $15,228

The school offers the following courses:

  • Barber styling

Contact information:

  • The Salon Professional Academy
  • Address: 1350 College Square Mall, 6301 University Avenue, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
  • Phone: 319-505-0402
  • Website: http://www.tspacedarfalls.com/

8Capri College

Founded in 1996, Capri College has educated many successful beauty professionals.

They take pride in providing students with “cutting-edge” education at reasonable prices.

Capri College has a flourishing network of spas and beauty salons, which results in many potential job opportunities for students.

This school received top honors in the 2013 Excellence in Education Program.

Their curriculum is hands-on and involves a lot of practice so that the students could develop a feel for a particular skill.

An interesting thing about this school is the fact that that offer a 2-week Satisfaction Guarantee.

That means that, if students aren’t satisfied with the program within the initial two weeks of classes, they will receive a full refund, minus the application and registration fee.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • All applicants must submit a completed Capri College Enrollment Application
  • Applicants must pay a non-refundable $50.00 application fee
  • Participate in a campus visit and successful completion of a pre-admission interview
  • Must have a High School Diploma or GED
  • Must provide a copy of their driver’s license or government-issued ID
  • Pay a $100 registration fee

Fees: An average tuition cost for the courses below is $31,325

The school offers the following courses:

  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
  • Nail technology
  • Massage therapy
  • Cosmetology arts & science instructor

Contact information:

  • Capri College
  • Location 1: 2945 Williams Parkway S.W, Cedar Rapids, IA. 52404
  • Location 2: 2540 E. 53rd Street, Davenport, IA 52807
  • Location 3: 395 Main Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
  • Location 4: 2323 Crossroads Blvd, Waterloo, IA 50702
  • Phone: 563-388-6642
  • Website: https://capricollege.edu/

9JTL Truck Driving Training

The demand for truck drivers has significantly increased in the past couple of years.

Trucking is an excellent career that’s well-paid, stable, and brimming with opportunities.

JTL Truck Driving School is one of the best in the country, having successfully taught hundreds of students.

The staff is very experienced, friendly, and understanding.

It’s also a very reasonably-priced school that provides students with a great, high-quality education.

Their reputation is stellar and students have nothing but kind words to say about them

It’s an overall well-rounded program that may yield great results in the future.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must pass a Department of Transportation Physical
  • Must pass a Drug Screen
  • Must allow the school to obtain your driving record for the previous 3 years
  • Have no DUI/DWI in the last 5 years
  • Have no more than 3 moving violations in the past 3 years
  • Have a good employment record
  • Have a minimum of a High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  • Have no recent felonies, misdemeanors, or drug-related convictions

Fees: The tuition fee for their course is $4,700

The school offers the following courses:

  • Professional Driver Field Training

Contact information:


10Hamilton Technical College

Hamilton Tech College has been operating in the quad-city area for 45 years now.

Thanks to their amazing program, they’ve grown and expanded a lot over the years.

Their goal is to give students a real-life training that was custom-tailed for industry needs.

Hamilton Tech College has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Here, they offer an abundance of useful courses, and upon completion, students will be able to work in multiple profitable industries.

The staff is one of the highlights of this college.

With years of experience, their hands-on teaching methods have been praised by many students.

Enrollment: All applicants must be at least 17 years of age and must have a high school diploma or GED.

Fees: The tuition fee for their courses is $14,250.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Electronics Technology
  • Medical Assisting Technology
  • Medical/Insurance Coding Specialist Program

Contact information:


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants2,570$58,310$28.04$79,260$38,260
Medical Records Specialists2,420$47,180$22.69$64,150$35,100
Nursing Assistants20,880$35,120$16.89$42,140$29,920
Dental Assistants3,280$45,650$21.95$57,780$34,030
Medical Assistants4,870$40,360$19.40$48,360$31,820
Phlebotomists1,260$37,320$17.94$44,940$30,980
Electricians7,990$59,560$28.64$84,300$37,510
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters5,780$62,320$29.96$82,770$38,780
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics7,120$46,780$22.49$69,330$29,380
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3,860$54,700$26.30$75,360$36,120
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Iowa, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Did you know that the average cost of a four-year bachelor’s degree is 82% higher in comparison to associate degrees?

Moreover, by choosing to further develop their skills in trade schools, students will be able to find a stable job very fast.

That’s because nowadays there is a huge demand for specialized workers.

Thankfully, there are many amazing institutions that teach these skills and prepare their prospective students for the future in the workforce.