- Mission of the college is to provide opportunities for quality lifelong learning and promote economic development for our communities.
School Highlights
Iowa Lakes Community College serves 1,945 students (35% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 24:1 is lower than the state community college average of 30:1.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 32%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 1,945 students
- In-state tuition: $5,516
- Out-state tuition: $5,868
- Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Minority enrollment: 30%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 82 teachers has declined by 68% over five years.
Iowa Lakes Community College
(IA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private not-for-profit
Total Faculty
82 staff
18 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Iowa Lakes Community College has declined by 11% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 24:1 has increased from 8:1 over five years.
The Iowa Lakes Community College diversity score of 0.48 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 15% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,945 students
1,532 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
30:1
# Full-Time Students
690 students
165 students
# Part-Time Students
1,255 students
1,367 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
137 students
23 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
690 students
165 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,255 students
1,466 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
507 students
411 students
% Asian
2%
3%
% Hispanic
6%
9%
% Black
3%
7%
% White
70%
68%
% Two or more races
1%
3%
% Non Resident races
4%
1%
% Unknown races
14%
9%
Diversity Score
0.48
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
37%
55%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$32,700
$32,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $5,516 is more than the state average of $4,331. The in-state tuition has declined by 19% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,868 is more than the state average of $4,920. The out-state tuition has declined by 18% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,516
$4,331
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,868
$4,920
Tuition Notes
resident:$211 per credit
non_resident_and_international:$226 per credit
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
87%
88%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,500
$11,250
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Iowa Lakes Community College is a public, comprehensive educational institution accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college was established in 1967 under provision of Chapters 260C and 260D, Code of Iowa. Over 73,000 people reside in this predominately rural five-county district encompassing approximately 2,900 square miles. Iowa Lakes Community College is a two-year college located in the rural northwest part of the state of Iowa in the Iowa Great Lakes region. Founded in 1967, Iowa Lakes provides affordable education to the residents of northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. The communities served by Iowa Lakes are Emmetsburg, Estherville, Algona, Spencer, Spirit Lake and Okoboji. Currently, over 3,600 students are enrolled in the liberal arts, career option, and vocational-technical programs as well as other programs. In addition, Continuing Education helps to provide lifelong learning opportunities as well as workplace training. The College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Iowa Lakes Community College cost?
Iowa Lakes Community College's tuition is approximately $5,516 for In-State students and $5,868 for Out-State students.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Iowa Lakes Community College is Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake (14.0 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake
Private for-profit
1543 18th Street
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
(712) 336-0512
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
(712) 336-0512
14.0 miles
Enrollment: 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Avalon School of Cosmetology
Private for-profit
1428 N McMillan St
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 372-2344
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 372-2344
41.6 miles
Enrollment: 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
603 W Park St
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-5061
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-5061
53.6 miles
Enrollment: 1,907 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 In-state tuition: $5,460 Out-state tuition: $5,850 Minority enrollment: 21%
Waldorf University
Private for-profit
106 S Sixth St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2450
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2450
58.2 miles
Enrollment: 2,225 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Acceptance rate: 77% Private-state tuition: $20,316 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rasmussen College-Mankato
Private, for profit
130 Saint Andrews Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-6556
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-6556
66.0 miles
Enrollment: 690 students
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