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$6,600Tuition
1,736Students
48%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$41,306Earnings
#11 in IowaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Northeast Iowa Community College

This agricultural region community college serves 1,736 students in Iowa's scenic Winneshiek County. Northeast Iowa Community College has built its reputation around practical career training and workforce development programs. The campus draws overwhelmingly from within state borders, with 90% of students calling Iowa home. Rural students find familiar territory in this distant setting, while the college maintains strong ties to local industries and employers.

Students pay an average net price of $10,059 after financial aid, making this an affordable entry point into higher education. Graduates earn a median of $41,306 ten years after starting college. With typical debt loads of just $12,000, most students face manageable monthly loan payments of $127. The employment rate hits an impressive 97.4%, reflecting the college's focus on job-ready skills training.

Women make up two-thirds of the student body at 66%. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay reasonably sized despite the college's community focus. Nearly half of students complete their programs within six years at 47.7%. Only 16% of students take federal loans, suggesting many either pay as they go or rely on family support for this relatively affordable option.

Academics & Faculty

Northeast Iowa Community College serves 1,736 students with a focus on career-ready programs and workforce development. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to instructors, though the 47.7% six-year graduation rate suggests many students face challenges completing their programs. The college emphasizes practical training in fields like agriculture, automotive technology, and health sciences that align with regional employment needs. Women make up 66% of enrollment, reflecting strong participation in the college's nursing and allied health programs. With 90% of students coming from Iowa, NICC functions as a local workforce pipeline for northeast Iowa's rural economy and small manufacturing base.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
20:1
Full-Time Faculty
43.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
47.7%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$41,306

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $51,065
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Certificate $48,901
Agricultural Mechanization. Certificate $44,468
Agricultural Mechanization. Associate $42,682
Precision Metal Working. Certificate $37,928
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $36,437
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Certificate $36,077
Computer Programming. Associate $35,954
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Associate $35,060
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. Certificate $34,704

View all 73 programs →

Campus Life

This rural Iowa campus sits in a town of fewer than 1,000 people, about 50 miles from Cedar Falls. You'll need heavy winter coats for temperatures that regularly drop below freezing from December through February. The 1,736 students spread across a compact campus where the 20:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name by the second week.

Most students commute from surrounding farming communities, with 90% coming from Iowa. The campus empties on weekends as students return home or head to part-time jobs. Social life centers around the student center and seasonal outdoor activities when weather permits. Two-thirds of students are women, often pursuing healthcare and business programs. The employment rate of 97.4% reflects strong ties with local employers who recruit directly from campus job fairs. With median debt of just $12,000, students graduate with manageable financial burdens. Monthly loan payments average $127, making this an affordable path to middle-class careers in northeast Iowa's tight-knit communities.
Setting
Rural-Distant
Calendar System
Semester
Founded
1966

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Arson 0 0 0 1
Motor Vehicle Theft 0 0 0 1

Climate & Weather

January Avg
10°–27°F
July Avg
62°–84°F
Annual Precipitation
37.6"
Annual Snowfall
37.5"

Student Demographics

Two out of three students at Northeast Iowa Community College are women, reflecting the school's strong healthcare and human services programs that traditionally attract female students. Nine out of ten students come from Iowa, showing the college's deep roots in serving northeastern Iowa's rural communities. Nearly a quarter of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school fulfills its mission of providing affordable education to working-class families. The student body is predominantly white, mirroring the demographics of rural Iowa where the college has built its reputation as a pathway to practical careers.
Men
33.8%
Women
66.2%
White
82.2%
Black
5.8%
Hispanic
5.4%
Asian
0.9%
In-State Students
90.3%
Pell Grant Recipients
22.7%

Location

Calmar sits in northeast Iowa's rolling farmland, about 50 miles southwest of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The town of roughly 1,000 residents reflects the region's agricultural heritage. With 90.25% of students coming from Iowa, most are familiar with the rural landscape of small communities and family farms that define this corner of the state. The campus serves as an educational center for surrounding counties where farming and small-town businesses anchor the local economy. Calmar offers the quiet pace typical of rural Iowa communities, with wide open spaces and close-knit neighborhoods. Students considering colleges in Iowa may also compare Northeast Iowa Community College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Calmar, Iowa 52132-0400

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$41,306
Median Earnings (5 years)
$47,208
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$30,600
Loan Repayment Rate
48.1%
Monthly Loan Payment
$127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Northeast Iowa Community College?

Northeast Iowa Community College has open enrollment as a community college, meaning students can enroll without meeting specific admission criteria. The school serves 1,736 students in rural northeast Iowa. About 90% of students come from in-state, reflecting its strong ties to the local agricultural and manufacturing communities.

How much does Northeast Iowa Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,059 after aid at Northeast Iowa Community College. In-state tuition runs $6,600 while out-of-state students pay $7,470. Only 23% of students receive financial aid, which is unusually low for community colleges and suggests many students can afford the relatively modest costs.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Northeast Iowa Community College?

Northeast Iowa Community College maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. The college operates on a semester system and focuses heavily on career training and workforce development. Students can expect practical, hands-on learning in programs designed to meet regional employment needs.

What kind of career outcomes do Northeast Iowa Community College graduates achieve?

Graduates earn a median of $41,306 ten years after starting at Northeast Iowa Community College. The employment rate reaches an impressive 97.4%, reflecting strong job placement in agriculture, healthcare, and technical fields. About 48% complete their programs within six years, which is typical for rural community colleges serving many part-time and working students.

Where is Northeast Iowa Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Calmar, Iowa, a small rural town that embodies the agricultural character of northeast Iowa. Women make up 66% of the student body, typical for community colleges with strong nursing and human services programs. The rural setting means limited on-campus housing and activities, with most students commuting from surrounding farming communities.

Does Northeast Iowa Community College offer good value for student debt?

Students graduate with a median debt of just $12,000, leading to manageable monthly loan payments of $127. The loan repayment rate stands at 48%, indicating some graduates struggle to repay even these modest amounts. However, the combination of low debt and strong employment rates makes NICC a relatively low-risk educational investment for career training.