Iowa Western Community College

2700 College Rd
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Top-Ranked (2026): View Rankings
  • Iowa Western Community College is a learning community committed to excellence in meeting the educational needs and improving the quality of life through programs, partnerships and community involvement.

School Highlights

Iowa Western Community College serves 5,540 students (41% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 31:1 is higher than the state community college average of 30:1.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the state average of 32%.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 5,540 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,560
  • Out-state tuition: $4,710
  • Student-teacher ratio: 31:1
  • Minority enrollment: 39%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Iowa Western Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size

School Overview

The teacher population of 181 teachers has declined by 65% over five years.
Iowa Western 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
Colors
Ice Blue and Silver, which later became Royal Blue and White.
Total Faculty
181 staff
18 staff
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Iowa Western Community College has declined by 32% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 31:1 has increased from 12:1 over five years.
The Iowa Western Community College diversity score of 0.60 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 33% over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,540 students
1,532 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
31:1
30:1
# Full-Time Students
2,270 students
165 students
# Part-Time Students
3,270 students
1,367 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
409 students
23 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,270 students
165 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,270 students
1,466 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
1,248 students
411 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
4%
3%
% Hispanic
9%
9%
% Black
8%
7%
% White
61%
68%
% Two or more races
4%
3%
% Non Resident races
4%
1%
% Unknown races
9%
9%
Diversity Score
0.60
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
36%
55%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,700
$32,700

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,560 is more than the state average of $4,331. The in-state tuition has declined by 29% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $4,710 is less than the state average of $4,920. The out-state tuition has declined by 29% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,560
$4,331
Out-State Tuition Fees
$4,710
$4,920
Tuition Notes
$214 per credit hour for Iowa residents; $219 per credit hour for non-Iowa residents and international students.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
80%
88%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,456
$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

  • School Mascot: Reiver
  • Clarinda Junior College, which was established in 1923 and had a long history of providing a two-year liberal arts education in Southwest Iowa, was selected to serve as one campus, and a new campus was located in Council Bluffs. The College expanded into other parts of the district with the establishment of centers in Atlantic (Cass County Center), Harlan (Shelby County Center), and Shenandoah (Page/Fremont County Center). On January 23, 1967, two vocational-technical programs were started using facilities in Council Bluffs. A major development was the addition of a liberal arts curriculum at the Council Bluffs Campus in the fall of 1968. Currently the College offers 84 different vocational/technical programs and Arts and Sciences/Transfer majors. Fall 2003 enrollment was 4,205 students. In addition, there are over 42,795 enrollments in continuing education classes each year. Iowa Western has been a vital part of the development of southwest Iowa for the past 32 years. From providing students with the necessary resources to start on a bachelor's degree; offering services to employers to increase economic development; providing continuing education courses; and offering numerous two-year degrees in technical areas, Iowa Western continues to set the standard for colleges throughout the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Iowa Western Community College cost?
Iowa Western Community College's tuition is approximately $4,560 for In-State students and $4,710 for Out-State students.
What is Iowa Western Community College's ranking?
Iowa Western Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Iowa for: Largest student body.

Recent Articles

As Four-Year Colleges Enter Short-Term Training, Should You Still Choose a Community College?
As Four-Year Colleges Enter Short-Term Training, Should You Still Choose a Community College?
As universities expand short-term workforce certificates, learn how community colleges compare on cost, flexibility, employer partnerships, and career outcomes.
What New Federal Aid Rules Mean for Short-Term Training Choices
What New Federal Aid Rules Mean for Short-Term Training Choices
Learn how new federal financial aid rules affect short-term workforce training programs and what prospective community college students should consider before enrolling.
Childcare, Transportation, and Food Support: Services That Drive Community College Completion
Childcare, Transportation, and Food Support: Services That Drive Community College Completion
Learn how childcare, transportation, food assistance, and other basic needs services help community college students stay enrolled and graduate.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 5,540 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,560
  • Out-state tuition: $4,710
  • Student-teacher ratio: 31:1
  • Minority enrollment: 39%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Iowa public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,331 per year for in-state students and $4,920 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $17,086 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Iowa is 75%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Quick Links