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Diesel mechanic training in Iowa

8 diesel mechanic programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

7 schools offer these diesel mechanic programs, and Iowa has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Diesel mechanics inspect and repair buses and trucks and maintain diesel engines of every kind. Community colleges and technical schools offer certificates and degrees in diesel repair, employers may require or prefer certification, and some jobs need a commercial driver's license to test-drive trucks and buses.1 Under federal rules, anyone paid to handle the refrigerant in a truck's cab air conditioning must be certified by an EPA-approved program.2

In Iowa, 3 of the 8 programs take students without a high school diploma and 5 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 8 programs here are diesel technology (associate degree, 5 programs) and diesel technician certificate or diploma (3 programs).

See the 8 programs

How much does diesel mechanic training cost in Iowa?

Two-year degrees (5 programs)
$13,230 to $15,540most of them, usually 64 to 84 weeks long
Other diesel mechanic programs (3 programs)
$8,695 to $9,823all 3 with a price

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
48%
Working 6 months later
84%
Earned a year, estimated
about $43,200
Length
44 to 75 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Iowa may also offer diesel mechanic training. How these figures are made

Is there free diesel mechanic training in Iowa?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 8 diesel mechanic programs in Iowa approved for WIOA funding

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8 programs

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Diesel Technology Diploma

    Des Moines Area Community College

    Ankeny

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Des Moines Area Community College, AnkenyDiesel technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$54,600
    Price if you pay yourself$8,695
    Program website, Diesel Technology Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College
    More details about Diesel Technology Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,647
    Length
    42 weeks, 29 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $7,156
    Students counted
    288
    Earned a year, estimated
    $54,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,695
    Program website, Diesel Technology Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College

  • Diesel technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Technology

    Iowa Central Community College

    Fort Dodge

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Iowa Central Community College, Fort DodgeDiesel technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$40,400
    Price if you pay yourself$14,939
    Program website, Diesel Technology at Iowa Central Community College
    More details about Diesel Technology at Iowa Central Community College
    Finished
    43%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,099
    Length
    60 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,607
    Students counted
    170
    Earned a year, estimated
    $40,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,939
    Program website, Diesel Technology at Iowa Central Community College

  • Diesel technology (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Diesel Truck Technology

    Kirkwood Community College

    Cedar Rapids

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Kirkwood Community College, Cedar RapidsDiesel technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$44,600
    Price if you pay yourself$13,230
    Program website, Diesel Truck Technology at Kirkwood Community College
    More details about Diesel Truck Technology at Kirkwood Community College
    Finished
    48%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,140
    Length
    64 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $12,110
    Students counted
    97
    Earned a year, estimated
    $44,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,230
    Program website, Diesel Truck Technology at Kirkwood Community College

  • Diesel technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Technology

    Indian Hills Community College

    Ottumwa

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Indian Hills Community College, OttumwaDiesel technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$44,800
    Price if you pay yourself$21,717
    Program website, Diesel Technology at Indian Hills Community College
    More details about Diesel Technology at Indian Hills Community College
    Finished
    48%
    Working at 6 months
    84%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,212
    Length
    86 weeks, 11 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    89
    Earned a year, estimated
    $44,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $21,717
    Program website, Diesel Technology at Indian Hills Community College

  • Diesel technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Technology AAS

    Des Moines Area Community College

    Ankeny

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Des Moines Area Community College, AnkenyDiesel technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$46,100
    Price if you pay yourself$15,540
    Program website, Diesel Technology AAS at Des Moines Area Community College
    More details about Diesel Technology AAS at Des Moines Area Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    89%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,536
    Length
    84 weeks, 27 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $8,215
    Students counted
    84
    Earned a year, estimated
    $46,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $15,540
    Program website, Diesel Technology AAS at Des Moines Area Community College

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Diesel Mechanics *DIESEL.DP

    Northeast Iowa Community College

    Calmar

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Northeast Iowa Community College, CalmarDiesel technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$35,900
    Price if you pay yourself$9,823
    Program website, Diesel Mechanics *DIESEL.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College
    More details about Diesel Mechanics *DIESEL.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College
    Finished
    76%
    Working at 6 months
    84%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,979
    Length
    44 weeks, 31 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $5,200
    Students counted
    69
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,823
    Program website, Diesel Mechanics *DIESEL.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College

  • Diesel technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Technology

    Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

    Davenport

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, DavenportDiesel technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$41,900
    Price if you pay yourself$12,529
    Program website, Diesel Technology at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
    More details about Diesel Technology at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
    Finished
    47%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,468
    Length
    72 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,500
    Students counted
    66
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,529
    Program website, Diesel Technology at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

  • Diesel technician certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Diesel Mechanics - Diploma

    Iowa Western Community College

    Council Bluffs

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Iowa Western Community College, Council BluffsDiesel technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$32,400
    Price if you pay yourself$8,968
    Program website, Diesel Mechanics - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College
    More details about Diesel Mechanics - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College
    Finished
    60%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,088
    Length
    40 weeks, 31 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $5,168
    Students counted
    51
    Earned a year, estimated
    $32,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,968
    Program website, Diesel Mechanics - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College

How to pay for diesel mechanic training in Iowa

WIOA funding can pay for diesel mechanic training in Iowa

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for diesel mechanic training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for diesel mechanic training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Diesel mechanic training in Iowa

programs with a price cost under $10,000
3 of 8
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
24th of 26
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
11 of 13
diesel mechanic programs here, against the typical state's 8
8 vs 8

State comparisons use the same figures as the diesel mechanic training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Diesel mechanic training in Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Cedar Rapids and other Iowa cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Iowa

How diesel mechanic training compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in Iowa

Where the Iowa diesel mechanic program numbers come from

Which Iowa diesel mechanic programs are on this list?

These are the diesel mechanic programs Iowa approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Iowa offers.

How the prices and results of Iowa diesel mechanic programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about diesel mechanic training in Iowa

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics
  2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 40 CFR part 82, subpart B, Servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List