Do Students Succeed at Iowa Western Community College?
Success rates, completion statistics, and student outcome metrics for Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA.
Student Success at Iowa Western Community College at a Glance
Iowa Western Community College is a public institution offering at least 2 but less than 4 years programs located in Council Bluffs, IA. Current enrollment is 5,540 students.
- 40% overall graduation rate (IPEDS)
- 28.3% of all entering students earn their award within 8 years
- 63% of exiters from its largest program (Nursing - ADN - Associate of Applied Science; NCLEX-PN Licensure; NCLEX-RN licensure) were employed within 6 months — verified by the U.S. Department of Labor
- DOL-verified median earnings of $17,373 per quarter after exiting Nursing - ADN - Associate of Applied Science; NCLEX-PN Licensure; NCLEX-RN licensure
- 1,388 graduates across 86 programs in 2025
- VA-approved for GI Bill benefits — 146 students used them here
Program-Level Results · Verified by the U.S. Department of Labor
Verified Program Outcomes
Completion and employment results reported to the U.S. Department of Labor for Iowa Western Community College programs on the state Eligible Training Provider List. Missing values ("—") mean the state suppressed or did not report that metric — they never mean zero.
| Program | Completion rate | Employed 6 mo after exit | Employed 1 yr after exit | Median quarterly earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing - ADN - Associate of Applied Science; NCLEX-PN Licensure; NCLEX-RN licensure | 76% | 63% | 63% | $17,373 |
| Practical Nursing - Diploma; National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX- PN) Licensure | 87% | 54% | 54% | $7,326 |
| Nurse Aide - Certificate | 19% | 8% | — | $2,259 |
| Business Administration Transfer Major- Associate of Arts | 9% | 90% | 84% | $9,154 |
| Welding - Certificate | 50% | 17% | 35% | $5,002 |
| Dental Hygiene - Associate of Applied Science | 13% | 74% | 55% | $12,195 |
| Criminal Justice Transfer Major - Associate of Arts | 21% | 56% | 46% | $10,005 |
| Early Childhood Studies - Associate of Applied Science | 23% | 22% | 16% | $13,313 |
| Aviation Maintenance Technology - Associate of Applied Science | 32% | 56% | 33% | $4,574 |
| Audio Engineering - Associate of Applied Science | 13% | 38% | 31% | $3,973 |
| Veterinary Technology - Associate of Applied Science | 11% | 54% | 38% | $7,318 |
| Automotive Technology - Associate of Applied Science | 15% | 33% | 29% | $5,920 |
| Marketing - Associate of Applied Science | 9% | — | — | — |
| Diesel Technology - Associate of Applied Science | 31% | 31% | 47% | $10,918 |
| Management & Human Resources - Associate of Applied Science | 24% | 41% | 27% | $11,533 |
| Accounting: Para-Accounting - Associate of Applied Science | 16% | 29% | 47% | $6,059 |
| Surgical Technology - Associate of Applied Science | 23% | 75% | 62% | $11,757 |
| Network & System Administration - Associate of Applied Science | 41% | 42% | 55% | $16,306 |
| AgriBusiness Management - Associate of Applied Science | 32% | 24% | — | $11,128 |
| Culinary & Hospitality Management - Associate of Applied Science | 35% | 24% | 33% | $7,198 |
| Electronics and Industrial Systems Technology - Associate of Applied Science | 38% | 50% | 60% | $15,745 |
| Dental Assistant - Diploma | 45% | 65% | 56% | $5,909 |
| HVAC/R Technology - Diploma | 33% | 50% | 38% | $11,885 |
| Diesel Mechanics - Diploma | 60% | 91% | 71% | $8,088 |
| Medication Manager - Certificate of Completion; Iowa Certification | 92% | — | — | — |
| Media Studies: Television/Video - Associate of Applied Science | 22% | 86% | — | $7,083 |
| Dental Assistant - Diploma; Certification as Iowa Registered Dental Assistant | 83% | — | — | — |
| Medical Assistant - Diploma | 54% | 67% | 66% | $8,411 |
| Welding Certificate | 60% | 76% | 64% | $7,637 |
| The Medical Coding & Billing for Outpatient Services Program | 16% | 100% | 88% | $11,887 |
| Electrical Technology Diploma | 49% | 81% | 51% | $5,691 |
| Medical Assistant - Diploma; CMA, AAMA, RMAC Certifications | 85% | — | — | — |
| Emergency Medical Technician | 6% | 83% | 70% | $11,138 |
| Robotics/Automated Systems Technology - Associate of Applied Science | 61% | 54% | 45% | $9,177 |
| Computers: Application & Web Programming - Associate of Applied Science | — | 44% | 83% | $16,761 |
| Media Studies: Radio - Associate of Applied Science | 38% | 67% | 71% | $5,610 |
| Design Technology (PLM/CAD) - AAS | 38% | 36% | — | $12,205 |
| Medication Aide - Certificate of Completion; National Certification with ASCP | 91% | — | — | — |
| Intermediate Welding - Certificate of Completion | 93% | — | — | — |
| Early Childhood Education - Associate of Arts | 57% | 50% | — | $1,456 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, WIOA participant outcomes (trainingproviderresults.gov), PY 2023.
College-Wide Statistics · IPEDS Federal Survey
What Are the Student Outcomes at Iowa Western Community College?
Unlike the program-level results above, the figures below cover all students at Iowa Western Community College, tracked over eight years by the federal IPEDS survey.
Overall Completion Rate
28.3%
Working Student Success
31.8%
Transfer Out Rate
25%
Still Enrolled Rate
1%
How Iowa Western Community College Compares
28% of students at Iowa Western Community College complete their programs — a number that's neither standout nor concerning by trade-college standards. 25% transfer and 1% are continuing. The full success picture combines all three; raw completion alone undersells trade-school outcomes.
What Happens After Students Enroll at Iowa Western Community College?
Eight-Year Student Outcomes
Eight-year outcomes for students who entered Iowa Western Community College. This shows what happened to students in their cohort by the end of the tracking period.
Understanding These Outcomes
Completed: Students who earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from this institution.
Still Enrolled: Students who remain enrolled at this institution after the tracking period.
Transferred Out: Students who transferred to another institution and may have completed there.
No Award: Students who left without earning a credential and are not enrolled elsewhere.
Combined completion and transfer rate of 48.4% indicates strong student success pathways.
These outcomes track what happened to students eight years after they first enrolled. Completion rates include certificates, diplomas, and degrees earned at this institution. Transfer rates show students who continued their education at other colleges. Understanding these pathways helps prospective students set realistic expectations and plan their educational journey.
What Are the Transfer and Continuation Patterns at Iowa Western Community College?
Success Rates by Student Entry Pathway
Comparing completion rates across different student entry pathways helps understand which groups succeed and how transfer experience impacts outcomes.
Key Insights
First-time and transfer students achieve similar completion rates, indicating equitable support regardless of entry pathway.
Combined 26.5% transfer-out rate suggests this institution may serve as a stepping stone for students continuing their education elsewhere.
Cohort Composition
Understanding Student Pathways
First-Time Students: Beginning postsecondary education for the first time at this institution.
Transfer-In Students: Previously attended another postsecondary institution before enrolling here.
Continuing Students: Returned to this institution after a break in enrollment.
Completion rates tracked over 8 years from initial entry.
Different student entry pathways lead to varying success rates. First-time students enter directly from high school or are starting college for the first time. Transfer students bring prior college experience and credits. Understanding these patterns helps you identify which pathway aligns best with your situation and predict your likelihood of success.
What Are the Completion Rates by Student Type at Iowa Western Community College?
What does this mean for you? These completion rates show how different types of students succeed at this institution. Notably, part-time students have a higher success rate here (31.8% vs 24.8% for full-time), which is great news if you plan to work while studying. This pattern is common at trade colleges where programs are designed to accommodate working adults. First-time students are those new to college, while transfer students have attended another institution before.
What Are the Cohort Outcomes Over Time at Iowa Western Community College?
Tracking outcomes for the 2015-16 cohort of 2,321 students
After 4 Years
After 6 Years
After 8 Years (Final)
Final Student Status
Completion Breakdown by Cohort
Part-time First-time Transfer Students
Part-time Non-first-time Transfer Students
All First-time Transfer Students
All Part-time Students
All Non-first-time Transfer Students
Part-time First-time Students
Full-time First-time Transfer Students
All First-time Students
Time to Completion
About This Data
Outcome measures data tracks student cohorts over 4, 6, and 8-year periods. Data is sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and reflects the most recent available reporting year.