Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Estherville, Iowa
Iowa Lakes Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$17,834Annual Cost
$43,108Grad Salary
20.4%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$10,846
Need-Based Aid
20.4% receive Pell
Iowa Lakes Community College, established in 1967, offers programs in wind energy, agriculture, and healthcare.
Iowa Lakes is unranked but renowned for its renewable energy programs. Its rural location supports both agricultural and technical education.
Iowa Lakes Community College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Iowa Lakes Community College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Iowa Lakes Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Iowa Lakes 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
Iowa Lakes Community College 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 (March 1, 2026) 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 Iowa Lakes Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Iowa Lakes Community College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Iowa Lakes Community College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Iowa Lakes Community College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Iowa Lakes Community College Without SAT or ACT?
Iowa Lakes Community College'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 Iowa Lakes Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Iowa Lakes Community College's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Target the Nation's First Two-Year Wind Technology AAS
Iowa Lakes established this program in 2004, the first of its kind in the U.S., and it has grown into a nationally and internationally recognized credential (students have come from as far as Africa, Turkey, and Thailand). Reference this founding history specifically - it reflects two decades of program maturity, not a recently added trendy offering.
Use the On-Campus Operational Turbine for Real Field Training
A full-scale, 1.65-megawatt, nearly 300-foot turbine sits directly on the Estherville campus, giving students real-world field training in a controlled environment rather than relying solely on simulators. Ask specifically how much hands-on turbine access is built into the coursework versus classroom-only instruction.
Confirm Which Credential Level Fits the Career Goal
Wind Energy & Turbine Technology is offered as both an AAS degree and a shorter Technician Diploma. Clarify which matches the intended timeline and career stage (entry-level technician vs. more advanced operations/management roles) before enrolling.
Ask About Employer Partnerships Tied to a Booming Regional Industry
Iowa is a major wind energy corridor, and graduates have historically had strong job placement given ongoing technician demand. Ask about current employer partnerships and placement rates specifically for this program, since it's tied to an active regional industry.
Expert Insight:
Wind energy technician work involves physical demands (climbing turbines, working at heights, confined spaces) as an inherent part of the training and eventual job. Honestly assess comfort with these physical requirements before committing to this specific program, regardless of academic interest.
Iowa Lakes Community College Profile
Full Name
Iowa Lakes Community College
City
Estherville
State
Iowa
ZIP Code
51334-2295
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Iowa Lakes Community College Degree Worth It?
At $17,834/year against a $43,108 median graduate salary, Iowa Lakes Community College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $49,500, and graduates see a 2.36% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Iowa Lakes Community College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $17,834/year at Iowa Lakes Community College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $10,846.
At Iowa Lakes Community College, 20.4% receive a Pell Grant and 21.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Iowa Lakes Community College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Iowa Lakes Community College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Iowa Lakes Community College graduates report a median income of $43,108, about 6% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Iowa Lakes Community College
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa Lakes Community College Admissions
Iowa Lakes Community College graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,108/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Iowa Lakes Community College is relatively affordable, around $17,834/year.
20.4% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Iowa Lakes Community College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Iowa Lakes Community College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before March 1, 2026 — that's Iowa Lakes Community College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.