Early childhood education programs in Iowa
20 early childhood programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
12 schools offer these early childhood education programs, and Iowa has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.
Childcare workers look after children's needs and help their early development. What they need varies by state and employer, from no formal education to a certificate in early childhood education; most often states ask for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which takes coursework, experience and a period of being observed working with children.1 The CDA takes a high school diploma or GED, 120 hours of early childhood education, 480 hours of work with the age group you choose within three years, a portfolio and the CDA exam.2
In Iowa, 7 of the 20 programs take students without a high school diploma and 13 ask for a diploma or equivalent.
By kind, the 20 programs here are child care or preschool certificate (10 programs), early childhood education (associate degree, 8 programs), CDA (Child Development Associate) course (1 program) and early childhood education program (level not stated, 1 program).
See the 20 programsHow much do early childhood education programs cost in Iowa?
- Certificates and short courses (11 programs)
- $1,952 to $6,726most of them, usually 28 to 44 weeks long
- Two-year degrees (8 programs)
- $11,825 to $14,521most of them, usually 64 to 66 weeks long
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
- 34%
- Working 6 months later
- 79%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $22,500
- Length
- 32 to 64 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 early childhood education programs. How these figures are made
All 20 early childhood programs in Iowa approved for WIOA funding
Filters
20 programs
Early Childhood Education Diploma
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$27,400Price if you pay yourself$6,586Program website, Early Childhood Education Diploma at Des Moines Area Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College
- Finished
- 42%
- Working at 6 months
- 77%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,839
- Length
- 42 weeks, 15 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,505
- Students counted
- 402
- Earned a year, estimated
- $27,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,586
Early Childhood Education, Certificate
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$23,200Price if you pay yourself$2,405Program website, Early Childhood Education, Certificate at Des Moines Area Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education, Certificate at Des Moines Area Community College
- Finished
- 34%
- Working at 6 months
- 82%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,800
- Length
- 16 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $805
- Students counted
- 281
- Earned a year, estimated
- $23,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,405
Early Childhood
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$23,200Price if you pay yourself$13,671Program website, Early Childhood at Kirkwood Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood at Kirkwood Community College
- Finished
- 19%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,789
- Length
- 64 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,829
- Students counted
- 278
- Earned a year, estimated
- $23,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $13,671
Early Childhood Education - AA
Northeast Community College
Based in Norfolk, NE
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$19,800Price if you pay yourself$7,808Program website, Early Childhood Education - AA at Northeast Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education - AA at Northeast Community College
- Finished
- 49%
- Working at 6 months
- 79%
- Earned in a quarter
- $4,961
- Length
- 60 weeks, 18 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,456
- Students counted
- 247
- Earned a year, estimated
- $19,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,808
Early Childhood Education
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
Davenport
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$28,300Price if you pay yourself$11,781Program website, Early Childhood Education at Eastern Iowa Community CollegesMore details about Early Childhood Education at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
- Finished
- 25%
- Working at 6 months
- 77%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,086
- Length
- 75 weeks, 19 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,500
- Students counted
- 245
- Earned a year, estimated
- $28,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,781
Early Childhood Education - AAS
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$22,500Price if you pay yourself$13,910Program website, Early Childhood Education - AAS at Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education - AAS at Western Iowa Tech Community College
- Finished
- 39%
- Working at 6 months
- 82%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,624
- Length
- 64 weeks, 21 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,188
- Students counted
- 245
- Earned a year, estimated
- $22,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- $13,910
Early Childhood *ERLYCH.DP
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$21,500Price if you pay yourself$6,732Program website, Early Childhood *ERLYCH.DP at Northeast Iowa Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood *ERLYCH.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College
- Finished
- 45%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,375
- Length
- 32 weeks, 24 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,494
- Students counted
- 119
- Earned a year, estimated
- $21,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,732
Early Childhood Education
Iowa Lakes Community College
Estherville
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$21,700Price if you pay yourself$14,510Program website, Early Childhood Education at Iowa Lakes Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education at Iowa Lakes Community College
- Finished
- 24%
- Working at 6 months
- 74%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,431
- Length
- 72 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,850
- Students counted
- 55
- Earned a year, estimated
- $21,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $14,510
Child Development - Preschool Certificate
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$14,000Price if you pay yourself$3,756Program website, Child Development - Preschool Certificate at Southeastern Community CollegeMore details about Child Development - Preschool Certificate at Southeastern Community College
- Finished
- 21%
- Working at 6 months
- 88%
- Earned in a quarter
- $3,503
- Length
- 48 weeks, 6 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 49
- Earned a year, estimated
- $14,000
- Price if you pay yourself
- $3,756
Early Childhood Diploma
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$25,400Price if you pay yourself$6,195Program website, Early Childhood Diploma at North Iowa Area Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Diploma at North Iowa Area Community College
- Finished
- 26%
- Working at 6 months
- 67%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,345
- Length
- 36 weeks, 13 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,552
- Students counted
- 47
- Earned a year, estimated
- $25,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,195
Early Childhood Technician
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$23,700Price if you pay yourself$10,884Program website, Early Childhood Technician at Indian Hills Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Technician at Indian Hills Community College
- Finished
- 43%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,925
- Length
- 50 weeks, 10 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 33
- Earned a year, estimated
- $23,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,884
Child Care, Level 1 *CHLD.CPC
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$20,500Price if you pay yourself$1,499Program website, Child Care, Level 1 *CHLD.CPC at Northeast Iowa Community CollegeMore details about Child Care, Level 1 *CHLD.CPC at Northeast Iowa Community College
- Finished
- 77%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,126
- Length
- 24 weeks, 3 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 23
- Earned a year, estimated
- $20,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,499
Early Childhood Education
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$14,400Price if you pay yourself$6,720Program website, Early Childhood Education at Iowa Central Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education at Iowa Central Community College
- Finished
- 29%
- Working at 6 months
- 75%
- Earned in a quarter
- $3,609
- Length
- 45 weeks, 15 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $400
- Students counted
- 21
- Earned a year, estimated
- $14,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,720
Child Development Associate (CDA) Program (Continuing Education)
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
Based in Davenport, IA
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$1,187School website, Child Development Associate (CDA) Program (Continuing Education) at Eastern Iowa Community CollegesMore details about Child Development Associate (CDA) Program (Continuing Education) at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 32 weeks, 19 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $66
- Students counted
- 21
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,187
Child Care, Level 2 *CHLD.CPC
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$999Program website, Child Care, Level 2 *CHLD.CPC at Northeast Iowa Community CollegeMore details about Child Care, Level 2 *CHLD.CPC at Northeast Iowa Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 12 weeks, 4 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $999
Child Development Infant/Toddler
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$3,654Program website, Child Development Infant/Toddler at Southeastern Community CollegeMore details about Child Development Infant/Toddler at Southeastern Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 48 weeks, 6 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $3,654
Early Childhood Education Diploma
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$7,409Program website, Early Childhood Education Diploma at Southeastern Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education Diploma at Southeastern Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 32 weeks, 18 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,409
Early Childhood Education AAS
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$11,840Program website, Early Childhood Education AAS at Des Moines Area Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education AAS at Des Moines Area Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 64 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,660
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,840
Early Childhood Studies - Associate of Applied Science
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$14,553Program website, Early Childhood Studies - Associate of Applied Science at Iowa Western Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Studies - Associate of Applied Science at Iowa Western Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 64 weeks, 19 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,645
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $14,553
Early Childhood Education AAS
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$14,594Program website, Early Childhood Education AAS at Southeastern Community CollegeMore details about Early Childhood Education AAS at Southeastern Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 64 weeks, 19 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $14,594
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for early childhood education programs in Iowa
WIOA funding can pay for early childhood education programs 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 early childhood education programs
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 early childhood education programs
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: Early childhood education programs in Iowa
- programs with a price cost under $3,000
- 4 of 20
- lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
- 27th of 33
- other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
- 3 of 20
- early childhood programs here, against the typical state's 8
- 20 vs 8
State comparisons use the same figures as the early childhood education programs 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).
Early childhood education programs in Burlington, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and other Iowa cities
Choosing an area filters the program list above. 3 more programs are in 3 other areas, 4 in smaller cities and towns and 2 online.
Other training in Iowa
How early childhood education programs compare with the rest of education and social services: Child care and social services training in Iowa
- CDL training33 programs
- CNA classes22 programs
- Medical assistant training15 programs
- Phlebotomy training11 programs
- Welding classes50 programs
- HVAC training13 programs
- Medical billing and coding training17 programs
- LPN programs14 programs
- EMT classes22 programs
- Electrician training5 programs
- Dental assistant programs11 programs
- Auto mechanic classes19 programs
- Pharmacy technician training10 programs
- Plumbing school3 programs
- CNC machinist training10 programs
- Carpentry classes12 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training4 programs
- Diesel mechanic training8 programs
- Cybersecurity training12 programs
- IT training40 programs
- Cosmetology school9 programs
- Barber school3 programs
- Esthetician school7 programs
- Nail tech school6 programs
- EKG technician programs1 program
- Massage therapy school13 programs
- Paralegal programs10 programs
- Fire academy4 programs
- Surgical tech programs7 programs
- Radiology tech programs9 programs
- Culinary school8 programs
- Home health aide training1 program
- PTA programs4 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training10 programs
- Human resources training6 programs
- Medication aide training9 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training23 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school3 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training5 programs
- Hospitality management programs10 programs
- Addiction counselor training1 program
- Coding and software development courses20 programs
- Lineman school1 program
- Sterile processing technician training3 programs
- Sonography school3 programs
- Data analytics courses4 programs
- Administrative assistant training32 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs5 programs
- Medical lab technician programs10 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses10 programs
- Digital marketing courses5 programs
- Web and graphic design courses14 programs
- Health information technology programs7 programs
- Vet tech programs6 programs
- Patient care technician training1 program
- OTA programs2 programs
- Interpreter and translator training1 program
- Home inspector training1 program
- Forklift certification2 programs
- Personal trainer certification1 program
- Healthcare administration programs4 programs
- Customer service training4 programs
- Flight school1 program
- MRI tech school1 program
- RBT certification training1 program
- Mental health technician training3 programs
- Human services programs12 programs
- Manufacturing technician training2 programs
- Electronics technician training10 programs
- Business administration programs26 programs
- Criminal justice programs7 programs
- Teacher assistant certification8 programs
- Auto body repair classes12 programs
- Solar and wind technician training5 programs
- Water treatment operator training2 programs
- Insurance license courses1 program
- Construction training programs10 programs
- Dental hygiene programs5 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes32 programs
- RN programs22 programs
- Project management certification10 programs
Where the Iowa early childhood education program numbers come from
Which Iowa early childhood education programs are on this list?
These are the early childhood education 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 early childhood education 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 early childhood education programs in Iowa
Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Childcare Workers
- Council for Professional Recognition: CDA Credentialing Process Overview (February 2026)
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- 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)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- 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