Northwest Iowa Community College

603 W Park St
Sheldon, IA 51201
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • Northwest Iowa Community College is a progressive learning college rapidly responding to the changing needs of our global community.

School Highlights

Northwest Iowa Community College serves 1,666 students (36% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 26%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 1,666 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,460
  • Out-state tuition: $5,850
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 18%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Northwest Iowa Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 148 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Northwest Iowa Community College
(IA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
148 staff
274 staff
This chart display total faculty of Northwest Iowa Community College and community college average number of faculty in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Northwest Iowa Community College has declined by 6% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has decreased from 12:1 over five years.
The Northwest Iowa Community College diversity score of 0.32 is less than the state average of 0.44. The school's diversity has declined by 33% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,666 students
2,501 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Northwest Iowa Community College and community college average number of enrollment of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
12:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Northwest Iowa Community College and community college average student staff ratio of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
604 students
1,099 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Northwest Iowa Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,062 students
1,402 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Northwest Iowa Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Northwest Iowa Community College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of IA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
113 students
210 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
604 students
1,099 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Northwest Iowa Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
45 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,062 students
1,396 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
457 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
170 students
411 students
This chart display the dormitory capacity of Northwest Iowa Community College and the community college average dormitory capacity of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Northwest Iowa Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in IA by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.
% Asian
1%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Northwest Iowa Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
7%
7%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Northwest Iowa Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
4%
6%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Northwest Iowa Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
82%
74%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Northwest Iowa Community College and the percentage of White community college students in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
1%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Northwest Iowa Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
2%
% Unknown races
3%
7%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Northwest Iowa Community College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in IA.
Diversity Score
0.32
0.44
This chart display the diversity score of Northwest Iowa Community College and the community college average diversity score of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
61%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Northwest Iowa Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.01%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$41,300
$33,600
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Northwest Iowa Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of IA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $5,460 is more than the state average of $4,331. The in-state tuition has declined by 7% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,850 is more than the state average of $4,920. The out-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,460
$4,331
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Northwest Iowa Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,850
$4,920
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Northwest Iowa Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
89%
91%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Northwest Iowa Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,000
$11,250
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Northwest Iowa Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,374
$5,500
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Northwest Iowa Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in IA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
59%
ACT Composite
n/a
22
ACT English
n/a
22
ACT Math
n/a
21
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • The College is located on a 263 acre campus along Highway 18 on the west side of Sheldon. Sheldon, Iowa is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 60 and Iowa State Highway 18 in the far northwest part of the state. Sheldon is located one hour from Sioux City, IA, and Sioux Falls, SD; and less than four hours from Des Moines, IA, and Minneapolis, MN. Northwest Iowa Community College serves Area IV in northwest Iowa, including Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien and Cherokee counties. There are over 30 programs of study at NCC, including Arts & Science transfer and programs covering manufacturing, electrical, automotive, computers, business, and health. NCC also offers non-credit continuing education and training for business and industry. Northwest Iowa Community College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Iowa Department of Education, The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Northwest Iowa Community College cost?
Northwest Iowa Community College's tuition is approximately $5,460 for In-State students and $5,850 for Out-State students.
What is Northwest Iowa Community College's ranking?
Northwest Iowa Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Iowa for: Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation), Highest completion rates and Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 1,666 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,460
  • Out-state tuition: $5,850
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 18%
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

For Iowa public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,331 per year for in-state students and $4,920 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $17,086 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Iowa community colleges have a diversity score of 0.44, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Iowa is Ross College-Quad Cities. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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