- Mission of the college is to provide opportunities for quality lifelong learning and promote economic development for our communities.
School Highlights
Iowa Lakes Community College serves 2,048 students (42% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the state community college average of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 32%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 2,048 students
- In-state tuition: $5,516
- Out-state tuition: $5,868
- Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
- Minority enrollment: 27%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 260 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Iowa Lakes Community College
(IA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Career & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private not-for-profit
Total Faculty
260 staff
274 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Iowa Lakes Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 8:1 has decreased from 9:1 over five years.
The Iowa Lakes Community College diversity score of 0.45 is less than the state average of 0.52. The school's diversity has declined by 6% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,048 students
2,140 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
17:1
# Full-Time Students
859 students
148 students
# Part-Time Students
1,189 students
1,992 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
204 students
333 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
859 students
148 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
61 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,189 students
2,075 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
403 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
507 students
400 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
6%
9%
% Black
4%
7%
% White
73%
68%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
1%
3%
% Non Resident races
3%
1%
% Unknown races
10%
8%
Diversity Score
0.45
0.52
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.3736%
0.5143%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.2578%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$32,700
$33,600
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $5,516 is more than the state average of $4,331. The in-state tuition has declined by 18% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,868 is more than the state average of $4,920. The out-state tuition has declined by 17% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,516
$4,331
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,868
$4,920
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
87%
93%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,500
$11,250
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
72%
ACT Composite
n/a
22
ACT English
n/a
22
ACT Math
n/a
21
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Iowa Lakes Community College is a public, comprehensive educational institution accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college was established in 1967 under provision of Chapters 260C and 260D, Code of Iowa. Over 73,000 people reside in this predominately rural five-county district encompassing approximately 2,900 square miles. Iowa Lakes Community College is a two-year college located in the rural northwest part of the state of Iowa in the Iowa Great Lakes region. Founded in 1967, Iowa Lakes provides affordable education to the residents of northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. The communities served by Iowa Lakes are Emmetsburg, Estherville, Algona, Spencer, Spirit Lake and Okoboji. Currently, over 3,600 students are enrolled in the liberal arts, career option, and vocational-technical programs as well as other programs. In addition, Continuing Education helps to provide lifelong learning opportunities as well as workplace training. The College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Iowa Lakes Community College cost?
Iowa Lakes Community College's tuition is approximately $5,516 for In-State students and $5,868 for Out-State students.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Iowa Lakes Community College is Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake (14.0 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Students
Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake
Private for-profit
1543 18th Street
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
(712) 336-0512
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
(712) 336-0512
14.0 miles
| 15 students
Avalon School of Cosmetology
Private for-profit
1428 N McMillan St
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 372-2344
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 372-2344
41.6 miles
| 18 students
603 W Park St
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-5061
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-5061
53.6 miles
| 2,674 students
Waldorf University
Private for-profit
106 S Sixth St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2450
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2450
58.2 miles
| 4,092 students
Rasmussen College-Mankato
Private, for profit
130 Saint Andrews Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-6556
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-6556
66.0 miles
| 690 students
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