Job training programs in Iowa
806 programs in 82 fields, with costs, results and funding that can make them free
68 schools offer these programs, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Compare the fields below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.
Online programs in Iowa · Programs of 12 weeks or less
Accredited schools in Iowa: Trade schools · Nursing schools · Medical certification programs · Allied health programs · IT schools · Business schools · Beauty schools · First responder schools · Transportation schools · Culinary and hospitality schools · Child care and social services programs
Job training in Iowa by line of work
- Trade school programs200
- Business and office training127
- IT certification programs90
- Medical certification programs85
- Allied health programs70
- Nursing and patient care programs69
- Child care and social services training45
- Transportation and logistics training44
- First responder training33
- Beauty school25
- Culinary and hospitality programs18
Each line of work compares its fields in Iowa. A line gets a page once two of its fields have one here.
Compare job training in Iowa: cost, pay and results
| Training | Programs | Most cost | Earned a year, estimated | Working 6 months later | Finished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding classes | 50 | $1,509 to $6,994 | about $34,000 | 79% | 55% |
| IT training | 40 | $2,386 to $13,102 | about $31,500 | 75% | 73% |
| CDL training | 33 | $2,000 to $4,995 | about $45,100 | 80% | 81% |
| Accounting and bookkeeping classes | 32 | $3,793 to $12,866 | about $35,200 | 80% | 31% |
| Administrative assistant training | 32 | $3,363 to $12,592 | about $28,800 | 77% | 41% |
| Business administration programs | 26 | $4,792 to $12,974 | about $28,800 | 79% | 21% |
| Industrial maintenance technician training | 23 | $6,768 to $14,518 | about $47,600 | 84% | 56% |
| CNA classes | 22 | $625 to $750 | about $22,200 | 83% | 69% |
| EMT classes | 22 | $1,902 to $13,445 | about $43,700 | 86% | 45% |
| RN programs | 22 | $15,555 to $49,350 | about $57,000 | 91% | 71% |
| Early childhood education programs | 20 | $3,730 to $12,298 | about $22,500 | 79% | 34% |
| Coding and software development courses | 20 | $4,500 to $14,203 | about $37,800 | 78% | 46% |
| Auto mechanic classes | 19 | $9,342 to $16,239 | about $30,300 | 84% | 49% |
| Medical billing and coding training | 17 | $3,500 to $8,686 | about $29,900 | 81% | 66% |
| Medical assistant training | 15 | $9,040 to $14,610 | about $28,600 | 87% | 66% |
| LPN programs | 14 | $8,375 to $10,231 | about $22,600 | 87% | 55% |
| Web and graphic design courses | 14 | $3,039 to $13,832 | about $28,000 | 74% | 30% |
| HVAC training | 13 | $6,195 to $12,390 | about $33,300 | 81% | 61% |
| Massage therapy school | 13 | $8,520 to $11,088 | about $18,400 | 73% | 83% |
| Carpentry classes | 12 | $5,923 to $10,836 | about $27,200 | 59% | 59% |
| Cybersecurity training | 12 | $3,429 to $10,240 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 99% |
| Human services programs | 12 | $10,069 to $14,079 | about $25,000 | 78% | 16% |
| Auto body repair classes | 12 | $6,702 to $14,488 | about $26,100 | 71% | 50% |
| Phlebotomy training | 11 | $1,250 to $2,250 | about $28,500 | 81% | 86% |
| Dental assistant programs | 11 | $7,882 to $12,076 | about $27,700 | 88% | 67% |
| Pharmacy technician training | 10 | $1,650 to $2,966 | about $32,100 | 74% | 53% |
| CNC machinist training | 10 | $3,715 to $12,726 | about $45,100 | 85% | 54% |
| Project management certification | 10 | $1,652 to $4,000 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Paralegal programs | 10 | $2,695 to $13,376 | about $34,700 | 82% | 19% |
| Medical administrative assistant training | 10 | $1,836 to $7,474 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Hospitality management programs | 10 | $1,523 to $7,224 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Medical lab technician programs | 10 | $7,763 to $16,374 | about $42,500 | 92% | 60% |
| AutoCAD and drafting courses | 10 | $4,502 to $12,637 | about $43,700 | 85% | 41% |
| Construction training programs | 10 | $2,540 to $14,545 | about $28,100 | 77% | 78% |
| Electronics technician training | 10 | $13,141 to $17,586 | about $44,200 | 82% | 38% |
| Cosmetology school | 9 | $19,165 to $19,849 | about $19,500 | 80% | 70% |
| Radiology tech programs | 9 | $15,780 to $24,662 | about $41,800 | 86% | 66% |
| Medication aide training | 9 | $449 to $585 | about $35,000 | 95% | 71% |
| Diesel mechanic training | 8 | $9,609 to $15,089 | about $43,200 | 84% | 48% |
| Culinary school | 8 | $5,107 to $13,790 | about $22,000 | 79% | 54% |
| Teacher assistant certification | 8 | $583 to $15,338 | about $17,900 | 71% | 38% |
| Esthetician school | 7 | $10,192 to $10,999 | about $19,600 | 74% | 87% |
| Surgical tech programs | 7 | $12,802 to $15,045 | about $35,100 | 89% | 31% |
| Health information technology programs | 7 | $8,016 to $15,591 | about $38,800 | 77% | 45% |
| Criminal justice programs | 7 | $12,218 to $13,662 | about $31,300 | 82% | 25% |
| Nail tech school | 6 | $4,263 to $4,840 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 98% |
| Human resources training | 6 | $2,430 to $11,413 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Vet tech programs | 6 | $13,234 to $17,314 | about $29,800 | 88% | 36% |
| Electrician training | 5 | $7,910 to $14,600 | about $30,700 | 81% | 49% |
| Dental hygiene programs | 5 | $18,060 to $19,264 | about $50,300 | 84% | 56% |
| Supply chain and logistics training | 5 | $2,499 to $7,575 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Respiratory therapy programs | 5 | $14,210 to $15,903 | about $62,100 | 91% | 63% |
| Digital marketing courses | 5 | $5,000 to $10,985 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Solar and wind technician training | 5 | $11,840 to $12,342 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Heavy equipment operator training | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Fire academy | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| PTA programs | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Data analytics courses | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Healthcare administration programs | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Customer service training | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Plumbing school | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Barber school | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Aircraft mechanic school | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Sterile processing technician training | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Sonography school | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Mental health technician training | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| OTA programs | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Forklift certification | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Manufacturing technician training | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Water treatment operator training | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| EKG technician programs | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Home health aide training | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Addiction counselor training | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Lineman school | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Patient care technician training | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Interpreter and translator training | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Home inspector training | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Personal trainer certification | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Flight school | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| MRI tech school | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| RBT certification training | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Insurance license courses | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
Each figure is the middle program of that field. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate.Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools in Iowa may offer more. How these figures are made
Job training in Des Moines, Sioux City, Davenport and other Iowa areas
- Des Moines area94
- Sioux City area90
- Davenport area76
- Cedar Rapids area66
- Burlington area56
- Ottumwa area46
- Fort Dodge area33
- Mason City area31
Programs with classes in each area, all fields together. An area gets a page once it has 30 programs, or one field there has 10.
Where the Iowa job training numbers come from
Which Iowa programs are counted?
Programs Iowa approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).5 They come from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Iowa offers.
What the figures for each field mean
Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).
Sources for the funding facts about job training in Iowa
Show the 5 sourcesHide the sources
- 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 Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List