Academic Programs & Learning

How does Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA support student success? Retention rates, FTE analysis, and more.

What About Academic Quality at Iowa Lakes Community College?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

13:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

61%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

38%

Part-time students continuing

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How Iowa Lakes Community College Compares

Iowa Lakes Community College reports 61% retention — middle-of-the-pack for trade colleges. Combined with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, and 38% part-time retention, the school sits at expected levels on academic-quality indicators.

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 13:1 means there are approximately 13 students for every faculty member. This low ratio typically allows for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 22% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches at Iowa Lakes Community College?

Total Teaching Staff
64
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
13:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
2%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (100%) Non-Tenure (100%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors 23
Associate Professors 7
Assistant Professors 26
Instructors & Lecturers 8

Understanding Faculty Composition

Iowa Lakes Community College employs 64 instructional staff across a range of academic ranks. About 100% hold tenured positions, providing institutional stability and academic continuity.

How Successful Are Students at Iowa Lakes Community College?

Student Retention Rates

61.0%
First-Time Full-Time
Fair
38.0%
First-Time Part-Time
Needs Improvement

Retention Rate Comparison

First-Time Full-Time
61.0%

New full-time students returning for second year

First-Time Part-Time
38.0%

New part-time students returning for second year

Cohort Information

Cohort Year:2024 academic year

Student Success Analysis

Full-Time Success:61% retention rate shows moderate student engagement with room for improvement.

Retention Impact: Higher retention rates indicate student satisfaction, academic success, and effective institutional support systems.

Iowa Lakes Community College has a 61% retention rate, meaning a moderate share of students continue from one year to the next. Understanding what drives this can help prospective students plan ahead.

Where Do Online Students at Iowa Lakes Community College Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)

Exclusively Online
210
of 1,945 total (10.8%)
Some Online Courses
524
of 1,945 total (26.9%)

Where exclusively-online students are located

Same state (IA) 198 (94.3%)
Other US states 10 (4.8%)
Outside the US 2 (1%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

94% of Iowa Lakes Community College's exclusively online students are located in IA. The school primarily serves local online learners.

What Is the Academic Load at Iowa Lakes Community College?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

1,361
Total FTE
1,361
Undergraduate FTE

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:70.0% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

The FTE figure at Iowa Lakes Community College gives a standardized view of enrollment by accounting for both full-time and part-time students in a single metric.

How Intensively Do Students Study at Iowa Lakes Community College?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

70.0%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelModerate

A mix of full-time and part-time students, offering flexibility for those balancing work, family, and education.

Undergraduate FTE
1,361
Total FTE
1,361
Headcount
1,945

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

At Iowa Lakes Community College, the FTE-to-headcount ratio is 0.70, which indicates how many students are attending full-time versus part-time.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact Iowa Lakes Community College directly at 7123622601 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1 supports personalized learning
  • 64 instructional staff with 100% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students primarily from IA (94% in-state)
  • Strong retention rates demonstrate student satisfaction and academic support

Ready to Learn More About Academics at Iowa Lakes Community College?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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