Iowa Western Community College

Iowa Western Community College: Academics, Admissions & Tuition

Learn what degree programs Iowa Western Community College offers. Research its academics, and read about its admission and financial info to make an informed education decision.

About Iowa Western Community College

Iowa Western Community College offers associate's degree and certificate programs, and a flight school that prepares students for careers related to aircraft. Iowa Western - established in 1967 and located in Council Bluffs, Iowa - holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition to the Council Bluffs campus, programs are offered through the school's Cass County Center, Clarinda Center, Page/Fremont County Center, and Shelby County Center.

The alternative radio station, 89.7 The River, is located on-campus and entertains the nearby Omaha, Nebraska, metropolitan area, as does the school's television station, CBTV 17. Students can participate in more than 30 clubs, organizations, and intramural sports, and Iowa Western's intercollegiate sports teams compete at the NCAA Division I level. Campus facilities include the Arts Center.

Academics

Iowa Western Community College offers 84 certificate and associate's degree programs that include technical, vocational, and liberal arts subjects. Academic and student support services include transfer and career planning, mental health counseling, and disability services. Library services are provided through the Iowa Western Community College Library system. All library materials - books, journals, media, and articles - are available electronically; there are no printed materials available for access.

Students at Iowa Western Community College also have the option to participate in Service-Learning, which focuses on community service and engagement. This is an opportunity for students to gain course credit and real-world experience through volunteering and assisting with local nonprofit organizations.

Admissions

Iowa Western has an open admissions policy - anyone with a high school diploma, GED certificate or the equivalent will be admitted. Submission of high school and college transcripts is required, along with ACT scores or ASSET or COMPASS placement test scores. Applicants may be subject to additional requirements depending on the program they want to enroll in. No application fee applies.

In 2011, full-time students made up slightly more than half of the student body; female students also made up slightly more than half of the student body. Most students were age 24 or younger, and about two-thirds were Iowa residents.

Tuition & Financial Aid

As of the 2012-2013 school year, tuition was $129 per credit hour for in-state students, $134 per credit hour for out-of-state students, and $152 per credit hour for eCollege (online learning) students. The school has three residence halls; room and board fees varied from $1,740-$3,830 per semester. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for financial aid eligibility; the deadline for Fall semester applicants is May 1, the deadline for Spring semester applicants is November 1, and for the Summer term, it's March 1. Financial aid may be granted in the form of scholarships, work study, grants or loans.

IOWA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE QUICK FACTS
School Type	2-year, public*
Degrees Offered	Associate's, certificate*
Religious Affiliation	None*
Academic Calendar	Semester*
School Setting	Small city*
Student Body	7,176 (all undergraduate)*
Student Housing	Three residence halls**
ACADEMICS
Schools and Programs	84 programs**
Student-Faculty Ratio	18 to 1*
Most Popular Fields of Study by Degree Level (Number of Recipients)	In 2011: Certificate: Health (147) Associate's: Liberal Arts (418)*
Undergraduate Graduation Rates	22%*
ADMISSIONS
Admission Rate	Open Admissions*
Entering Class Size	3,516 in 2011***
First-Year Retention Rates	46% (full time students)*
Application Due Date	Rolling Admissions**
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition	In 2012-2013: $129/credit hour for in-state students, $134/credit hour for out-of-state students, $152/credit hour for eCollege students
Financial Aid Sources Available (Percent of Students Receiving it)	In 2011: Federal grants (56%), Pell grants (56%), State-local grants (4%), Federal student loans (72%)*
Percent of Students Receiving Some Form of Aid	87% in 2011*

Sources: *College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics, **Iowa Western Community College, ***IPEDS Data Center, National Center for Education Statistics.

School Contact Information

Address: 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Phone: 712-325-3277
Website: www.iwcc.edu