Hawkeye Community College: $6,308 Tuition

$6,308Tuition

2,528Students

32%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$42,849Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Hawkeye Community College

Hawkeye Community College builds careers through hands-on training programs that connect directly to Iowa's job market. The college enrolls 2,528 students on its rural-fringe campus near Waterloo. Strong career and technical programs prepare students for fields like manufacturing, healthcare, and skilled trades that drive northeast Iowa's economy. The college serves as a stepping stone for students who want practical skills without the debt load of a four-year degree.

Students pay an average net price of $10,298 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable paths to career training. Graduates earn a median of $42,849 ten years after starting, while carrying typical debt of just $12,000. Monthly loan payments average only $127, making this education financially manageable for most families. The return on investment works especially well for students entering high-demand technical fields.

The student body reflects Iowa's demographics, with 72% white students and 96% coming from in-state. Women make up 59% of enrollment, often drawn to the college's nursing and healthcare programs. The RedTails compete in 14 varsity sports through the NCCAA, with 267 total athletes receiving $416,122 in athletic scholarships. An impressive 97% employment rate shows employers value what students learn here.

Academics & Faculty

Hawkeye Community College builds its academic reputation around career and technical education that prepares students for Iowa's workforce. The college serves 2,528 students with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio that enables personalized attention in hands-on programs. Students can choose from practical fields like manufacturing, healthcare, business, and skilled trades that align with regional job demands. However, the 31.5% six-year graduation rate reflects challenges common to community colleges, where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. The college's semester system allows flexibility for working students. Strong industry partnerships help graduates achieve a 97.3% employment rate, making this an appealing choice for students seeking direct pathways to stable careers.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Faculty: 93.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 31.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $42,849

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.	Associate	$51,273
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$49,840
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Associate	$48,823
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$47,846
Agricultural Mechanization.	Associate	$45,852
Precision Metal Working.	Associate	$44,942
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Associate	$43,054
Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$38,829
Ground Transportation.	Certificate	$38,769
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$37,808

View all 59 programs →

Campus Life

Hawkeye Community College sits in Waterloo, a mid-sized Iowa city about 90 minutes from Des Moines. The college draws 96% of its 2,528 students from Iowa, creating a tight-knit community where classmates often know each other from high school. You'll need a heavy winter coat for Iowa's brutal winters, which regularly drop below zero with snow lasting from December through March.

The campus operates on a commuter model typical of community colleges. Most students drive to campus for classes then head to part-time jobs or family responsibilities. With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students by name and provide personal attention. The RedTails compete in 14 varsity sports through the NCCAA, giving 267 athletes something to rally around. Weekends often revolve around local activities like Cedar Valley Lakes or downtown Waterloo's farmers market. The college's strong employment rate of 97.3% reflects its practical focus on getting graduates into the workforce quickly, whether through two-year degrees or transfer preparation.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1966

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Robbery	0	0	0	2

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 10°–28°F
July Avg: 64°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 36.3"
Annual Snowfall: 39.1"

Student Demographics

Hawkeye draws students from across northeast Iowa, with 96% coming from in-state. The school serves its local community well, attracting working-class students who need affordable pathways to careers. Women make up nearly 60% of enrollment, reflecting strong programs in healthcare, education, and social services that traditionally draw more female students. The student body is predominantly white but includes meaningful representation from Black and Hispanic communities. Most students work while attending classes. The college fills a crucial role as an accessible entry point to higher education for first-generation college students.

Men: 41.2%
Women: 58.8%
White: 72.4%
Black: 10.4%
Hispanic: 6.5%
Asian: 2.0%
In-State Students: 96.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 21.9%

Location

Waterloo sits in northeast Iowa, about 110 miles west of Dubuque and the Mississippi River. The city anchors the Cedar Valley region alongside neighboring Cedar Falls, home to the University of Northern Iowa. With 96.34% of students coming from in-state, Hawkeye draws heavily from Iowa's rural communities and smaller cities. The area blends industrial heritage with agricultural roots, as Waterloo historically served as a railroad center and manufacturing center. The college's rural-fringe setting provides access to both farmland and urban amenities within the broader Cedar Valley metropolitan area of roughly 170,000 residents. Students considering colleges in Iowa may also compare Hawkeye Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Waterloo, Iowa 50701

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $42,849
Median Earnings (5 years): $47,065
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $32,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 45.3%
Monthly Loan Payment: $127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Hawkeye Community College?

Hawkeye Community College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students regardless of academic background. The school serves 2,528 students primarily from Iowa, with 96.34% coming from in-state. This accessibility makes it a popular choice for students seeking affordable higher education or career training in northeast Iowa.

How much does Hawkeye Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,298 annually at Hawkeye Community College. In-state tuition runs $6,308 while out-of-state students pay just $290 more at $6,598. Those receiving institutional grants get an average of $4,414 in aid, with 23.62% of students qualifying for these awards.

What academic programs is Hawkeye Community College known for?

Hawkeye Community College focuses heavily on career and technical education programs that prepare students for immediate employment. The college maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention in hands-on training programs. Students can choose from programs designed to meet the workforce needs of northeast Iowa's manufacturing and service industries.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Hawkeye Community College?

Graduates achieve a strong 97.3% employment rate, reflecting the college's emphasis on practical, job-ready skills. Median earnings reach $42,849 ten years after graduation, with graduates typically carrying manageable debt loads of $12,000. The loan repayment rate of 45.26% suggests graduates earn enough to handle their educational investments.

Where is Hawkeye Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Waterloo, Iowa, in a rural-fringe setting that combines small-town accessibility with reasonable amenities. Campus life includes 14 varsity sports programs competing in the NCCAA as the RedTails, with 267 total athletes. The student body of 58.78% women and 41.22% men creates a diverse learning environment in this northeast Iowa community.

Does Hawkeye Community College offer good value for working-class families?

Families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of just $8,428, making education highly affordable for low-income students. Only 21.91% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting the college serves a broad economic spectrum rather than concentrating on the neediest students. Monthly loan payments average just $127, reflecting the school's commitment to keeping education debt manageable.