Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Ottumwa, Iowa
Indian Hills Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,774Annual Cost
$40,507Grad Salary
22.3%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$7,492
Need-Based Aid
22.3% receive Pell
Indian Hills Community College, established in 1966 in Ottumwa, Iowa, specializes in advanced manufacturing, aviation, and arts. The campus includes an aerospace training center.
IHCC is unranked but renowned for its hands-on technical programs. Its rural location fosters close industry partnerships.
Indian Hills Community College Acceptance Rate
Indian Hills Community College (IHCC) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Indian Hills Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Indian Hills Community College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
IHCC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Foundation scholarship priority: 2027/03/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at IHCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Indian Hills Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Indian Hills Community College (IHCC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if IHCC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into IHCC Without SAT or ACT?
IHCC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for IHCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into IHCC is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Get your Iowa CNA certification and 76-hour course completed before applying to nursing
Both the ADN and Practical Nursing programs at Indian Hills require an active Iowa CNA certification and proof of completing a 76-hour CNA course as a condition of application - this isn't something you can complete alongside your nursing coursework. Start this well ahead of your target application cycle, since CNA certification and the required course together take real calendar time to finish.
Take the TEAS in person - online-administered scores are not accepted
Since January 1, 2022, Indian Hills has not accepted TEAS scores from online-administered tests, only in-person results. If you're scheduling your TEAS exam, confirm you're registering for an in-person testing site specifically, since an online test - even with a strong score - won't count toward your nursing application.
Criminal Justice applicants: know the background check affects your firearms course eligibility, not just admission
Indian Hills' Criminal Justice program requires a $20 criminal background check specifically to screen for convictions that would prevent a student from completing the required firearms course or gaining employment after graduation - a more consequential check than a typical program screening. If you have any relevant history, raise it with the program before enrolling, since it can affect your ability to complete required coursework, not just your initial admission.
Apply early even though "you won't be turned down" - capacity fills fast in popular programs
Indian Hills is explicit that general admission won't turn you away, but specific programs fill up quickly regardless of that open-door policy. Treat "you won't be turned down" as applying to the college broadly, not as a guarantee of a seat in your specific program of interest - apply to your target program as early as your prerequisites allow.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes read Indian Hills' "you won't be turned down" messaging as applying uniformly across all programs - but Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and Criminal Justice each carry specific admissions criteria (CNA certification, background checks, drug screens, in-person testing) that function as real gates within an otherwise open-admission institution. Missing any one of these program-specific requirements, like submitting an online TEAS score by mistake, can delay entry by a full cycle.
IHCC Profile
Full Name
Indian Hills Community College (IHCC)
City
Ottumwa
State
Iowa
ZIP Code
52501
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a IHCC Degree Worth It?
IHCC offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $46,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.15%.
How much does a degree from IHCC Cost?
The sticker price is $14,774/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $7,492.
22.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 18.5% take federal loans at IHCC — file your FAFSA early and list IHCC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a IHCC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $40,507 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at IHCC
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About IHCC Admissions
Median earnings for Indian Hills Community College graduates sit around $40,507 a year.
At about $14,774 a year, Indian Hills Community College is on the more affordable end.
Indian Hills Community College's Pell Grant rate of 22.3% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Indian Hills Community College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 20. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Foundation scholarship priority: 2027/03/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.