| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Public two-year community college, mostly campus-based, with some programs fully online |
| Locations | Main campus in Cedar Rapids; regional centers in Hiawatha (Linn County) and Coralville (at the University of Iowa); county centers in Vinton, Williamsburg, Monticello and Washington. All in Iowa |
| Service area | Seven counties: Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington |
| Credentials | Associate of Applied Science (AAS), AA/AS transfer degrees, an Associate of Applied Arts in music, diplomas and certificates |
| Programs | “140+ majors & programs” (the college’s figure) |
| Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission: accredited; comprehensive evaluation January 2024, next reaffirmation 2029-30 |
| Federal aid | Yes, federal school code 004076 |
| 2026-27 tuition | $229 per credit for Iowa residents, $306 out of state, $400 international, plus a $50 technology fee each semester |
| Students | 13,419 in fall 2025 (Kirkwood fact book) |
| Founded | 1966, as Area Ten Community College; renamed Kirkwood in 1969 |
| Facts checked | October 2026 |
Eastern Iowa’s community college, centered on Cedar Rapids
Kirkwood Community College is the public community college for Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties in eastern Iowa. It opened in 1966 as Area Ten Community College, with 199 students, and took the Kirkwood name in 1969, after Samuel J. Kirkwood, a Civil War-era governor of Iowa. Its fact book counts 13,419 students in fall 2025, up from 12,765 a year earlier; most (9,224) study part-time. Most career programs are taught at the main campus in southwest Cedar Rapids, with therapy-assistant programs in Hiawatha and medical laboratory technology in Coralville. The college closed its Iowa City campus in 2023-24, moving most Johnson County operations to the Regional Center at the University of Iowa in Coralville, and sold the old campus to Oral-B in 2024.
Career programs and where they are taught
Kirkwood counts more than 140 majors and programs. The table lists the main career programs with the college’s own 2026-27 estimated totals for Iowa residents, which include tuition, fees, books and tools (October 2026). “Cedar Rapids” means the main campus.
| Program | Credential | Length | Where | Prepares for | 2026-27 estimated total (Iowa resident) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree Nursing (RN) | AAS, 77 credits | 5 semesters | Cedar Rapids | NCLEX-RN | $27,791.58 |
| Practical Nursing (LPN exit) | Diploma, 49 credits | 2 semesters after prerequisites | Cedar Rapids | NCLEX-PN | $19,281 |
| Dental Hygiene | AAS, 86 credits | 5 semesters | Cedar Rapids; clinic at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry | National and clinical dental hygiene boards | $28,830 |
| Dental Assisting | Diploma, 46.5 credits; AAS, 63.5 | 1 or 2 years | Cedar Rapids | DANB | $13,120.50; AAS $17,542.50 |
| Medical Assisting | Diploma, 43 credits; AAS, 62 | Diploma 3 semesters | Cedar Rapids | CMA | $14,730; AAS $19,131 |
| Medical Laboratory Technology | AAS, 79 credits; 16-credit certificate | 2 years; certificate 1 semester | Coralville (hybrid) | ASCP | $23,678; certificate $5,700 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | AAS, 84.5 credits | About 2 years, fall start | Hiawatha | NBCOT | $27,700.50 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | AAS, 82.5 credits | 5 semesters, fall start | Hiawatha | NPTE | $27,033.40 |
| Paramedicine | AAS, 67.75 credits | About 20 months, spring start | Cedar Rapids | NREMT | $21,254.37 |
| Respiratory Therapist | AAS, 84 credits | About 2 years | Cedar Rapids | NBRC | $26,578.25 |
| Surgical Technology | AAS, 64 credits | 4 semesters after prerequisites | Cedar Rapids, or Zoom lectures with labs at three partner Iowa colleges | CST | $20,151 |
| Veterinary Technician | AAS, 82 credits | About 2 years; 24 seats | Cedar Rapids | VTNE | $23,268 |
| Exercise Science & Wellness | AAS, 62 credits | 2 years, fall start | Cedar Rapids | NASM, ACE, NSCA | $15,492 |
| Aviation Maintenance Technology | AAS, 74 credits; Airframe diploma, 45; Powerplant certificate | 2 years; diploma about 1 year | Hangar at The Eastern Iowa Airport and Cedar Rapids campus | FAA A&P | $26,883.50; Airframe $19,252 |
| Advanced Welding Technologies | AAS, 73 credits; diploma, 38 | 2 years / 1 year | Cedar Rapids | AWS SENSE 1 and 2 | $22,601.05; diploma $11,587 |
| Automotive Technology | AAS, 71 credits; diploma, 30; 5 certificates | 2 years / 1 year | Automotive Technology Center, Cedar Rapids | ASE-aligned (Master-certified program) | $30,520.49; diploma $10,620.99 |
| Automotive Collision Repair & Restoration | Diploma, 44 credits | 3 semesters | Cedar Rapids | I-CAR curriculum | $22,154.99 |
| Diesel Technologies | AAS, 71 credits | 2 years | Cedar Rapids | – | $29,024 |
| Carpentry | Diploma, 32 credits | 2 semesters | Cedar Rapids | – | $9,731.95 |
| Construction Management | AAS, 66 credits; ACE diploma, 33 | 2 years / 1 year | Cedar Rapids | – | $17,931; diploma $9,814.45 |
| CNC Machining Technology | AAS, 70 credits; diploma, 36; certificates | 2 years / 1 year | Cedar Rapids | NIMS credentials | $18,866.50; diploma $9,562 |
| HVAC Installer | Diploma, 34.5 credits | 1 year | Cedar Rapids | EPA 608; NCCER HVAC and Electrical Level 1 | $10,047.50 |
| Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship | Diploma, 35 credits | 1 year | Cedar Rapids | – | $10,210 |
| Architectural Technology | AAS, 65 credits | 5 semesters incl. summer | Cedar Rapids | – | $17,447.50 |
| Water Environmental Technology | AAS, 68 credits; 3 diplomas | 2 years / 1 year | Online, plus an in-person program conference | Iowa water and wastewater operator certification | $18,421.25; diplomas $9,363.75–$9,867 |
| Fire Science Technology | AAS, 64 credits | 5 semesters | Cedar Rapids; some evening and online classes | Firefighter I and II; EMT | $18,947 |
| Criminal Justice | AAS, 62 credits | 2 years | Cedar Rapids | – | $15,825 |
| Paralegal | AAS, 64 credits | About 2 years | Online | – (no ABA approval stated) | $17,296 |
| Early Childhood Education | AAS, 64 credits; diploma and certificate options | 4 terms | Cedar Rapids | Paraeducator certification; CDA information | – |
| Accounting | AAS, 62 credits; 2 certificates | – | Online | – | $16,091.50 |
| Financial Services | AAS, 64 credits | – | Online | – | $16,177 |
| Business Administration | AAS, 65 credits | – | Cedar Rapids and Coralville | Transfer to the University of Iowa or work | $16,429.50 |
| Business Administration: Management | AAS, 63 credits | – | Online | – | $15,692.50 (2025-26) |
| Business Analytics Technician | AAS, 65 credits | – | Online | – | $15,885 |
| Administrative Management | AAS, 64 credits, with a project management certificate | – | Cedar Rapids | PMP or CAPM | $15,910.25 |
| Marketing Management | AAS, 64 credits; 3 certificates | – | Cedar Rapids | – | $15,680.50 |
| Cybersecurity and Compliance | AAS, 65 credits | – | Mostly online; some campus time | – | $18,715 |
| Network & System Administration | AAS, 64 credits | – | Cedar Rapids | Cisco Networking Academy | $17,746 |
| Computer Software Development | AAS, 72 credits; 3 certificates | – | Cedar Rapids | – | $20,233 |
| Computer Support Specialist | AAS, 65 credits | – | Cedar Rapids | CompTIA Network+; CCNA I | $18,715 |
| Interior Design & Interior Architecture | AAS, 75 credits | 6 semesters incl. summer | Cedar Rapids | NCIDQ education requirement | $28,652 |
| Digital Arts | AAS, 64 credits | – | Cedar Rapids | – | $18,608 |
| Culinary Arts | AAS, 66 credits | – | The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, Cedar Rapids | – | $20,904.03 |
| Hospitality Management | AAS, 68 credits; diploma, 30 | – | The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, Cedar Rapids | ServSafe Manager | $18,149.50; diploma $8,557.50 |
| FlexFORWARD certificates | Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Project Management | 7-week blocks | Online | – | – |
Many other subjects, including psychology, communication studies, journalism, theatre, computer science and engineering, are taught only as Liberal Arts AA or AS transfer tracks, which lead to a four-year degree rather than straight to a job. Music is an Associate of Applied Arts accredited by NASM, but Kirkwood presents it as preparation for transfer to a four-year music program. Kirkwood also lists Industrial Maintenance, Electronics Engineering Technology, CAD/Mechanical Engineering Technology, Agricultural Science, Agriculture Business, Horticulture Sciences, Human Services and Diagnostic Assistant programs. Programmatic accreditors include CODA (dental), CAAHEP (medical assisting, surgical technology and paramedic), NAACLS, ACOTE, CAPTE, CoARC, the AVMA, the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation, the ASE Education Foundation and NIMS, and the FAA certificates the aviation program as a Part 147 school.
What the main programs cover
Nursing: ADN and LPN
Kirkwood’s nursing program is one ladder. Applicants need CNA certification and placement exams before they are admitted. After prerequisites, students can leave with the 49-credit Practical Nursing diploma after two semesters and sit the NCLEX-PN, or continue through five semesters to the 77-credit ADN and the NCLEX-RN. Clinical rotations include pediatrics, labor and delivery, the operating room and community settings. Licensed practical nurses can join part-way through the LPN Transfer option. The ADN is accredited by NLN CNEA through 2027.
Aviation Maintenance Technology
The FAA approved this program in July 2023. Its first classes ran at the college’s Continuing Education Training Center that fall, and from spring 2024 hands-on work moved to a hangar at The Eastern Iowa Airport. Students choose the 74-credit AAS (about two years), the 45-credit Airframe diploma (about one year) or the Powerplant certificate, all starting in fall. The program prepares students for the FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic exams. Kirkwood has no pilot training.
Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant
Both assistant degrees are taught at the Linn County Regional Center in Hiawatha, with one fall start a year. The PTA degree runs five semesters (82.5 credits), with clinical placements across Iowa and neighboring states, so some students travel for rotations. PTA applicants must finish prerequisites at C or better and score at least 60% on the ATI TEAS. The OTA degree is 84.5 credits over about two years and leads to the NBCOT exam.
Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting
Dental Hygiene is an 86-credit AAS over five semesters. Lectures are on the Cedar Rapids campus, but patient clinic takes place at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, and students arrange their own transport there. Dental Assisting is shorter: a 46.5-credit diploma in a year or a 63.5-credit AAS, with fall, spring or summer entry and clinical time at the College of Dentistry and in private offices. Both are CODA-accredited.
Welding, HVAC and Plumbing
The welding programs use virtual-reality trainers and a weld-testing facility, and students work toward AWS SENSE Level 1 and 2, OSHA 10, CPR/first aid and the National Career Readiness Certificate. HVAC Installer is a two-semester diploma (17 credits in fall, 17.5 in spring) leading to EPA 608 refrigerant certification, NCCER HVAC and Electrical Level 1, OSHA 10 and adult first aid/CPR. Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship is also two semesters and includes an internship.
Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management
Both programs train in The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, a working hotel and conference center on the main campus with more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space, which the college’s hospitality page describes as AAA Four Diamond. Culinary Arts is a 66-credit AAS with baking coursework in a bakery lab and Exemplary status from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. Hospitality Management offers a 68-credit AAS or a 30-credit operations diploma, both with ServSafe Manager certification.
2026-27 tuition and how students pay
For 2026-27 Kirkwood charges $229 per credit hour for Iowa residents, $306 for out-of-state students and $400 for international students, plus a $50 technology fee each semester. The resident rate was $217 in 2024-25 and $210 in 2023-24. Program totals in the table above add fees, books and tools: for example $10,047.50 for the HVAC diploma, $11,587 for the welding diploma, $27,791.58 for the nursing ADN and $30,520.49 for the Automotive Technology AAS. Federal data put in-state tuition and fees at $6,176 for 2024-25. Kirkwood’s net price calculator estimates costs after aid.
Kirkwood takes federal student aid (school code 004076). Kirkwood’s program pages say Iowa’s Kibbie Grant can cover half of tuition for eligible career and technical students, and some programs, such as Administrative Management, qualify for Iowa’s Last-Dollar Scholarship. The college says it awards more than $3 million in scholarships a year through one application. Veterans can use GI Bill chapters 30, 31, 33, 35 and 1606; Iowa National Guard members can use state tuition assistance, and federal tuition assistance pays up to $250 a credit. Kirkwood has a full-time veteran services coordinator and a lounge for veterans and military-connected students in Iowa Hall.
Applying, selective programs and schedules
The application is free. Students choose a program, apply online, receive a K-number (student ID), and for most career programs attend a required program conference before they are accepted. Niche reports a 100% acceptance rate, but several health programs have limits: the ADN needs CNA certification and placement exams, PTA needs a minimum TEAS score, and Veterinary Technician takes 24 students per class, first come once requirements are met. Dental Hygiene, OTA, PTA and Paramedic have one start a year.
Most career programs run as full-time daytime cohorts. Fire Science has some evening and online classes. Accounting, Financial Services, Business Administration: Management, Business Analytics Technician, Paralegal, Water Environmental Technology and the Liberal Arts AA/AS can be completed online, and Kirkwood takes part in SARA, the interstate agreement that lets it enroll online students from other states. FlexFORWARD is a separate online, competency-based format used only for three certificates (Entrepreneurship, Human Resources and Project Management), taught in 7-week blocks (6 weeks in summer) and open to applicants aged 21 or over with at least three years of work experience.
Accreditation and results
Kirkwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. HLC’s comprehensive evaluation in January 2024 ended in continued accreditation with no monitoring shown, and the next reaffirmation is set for 2029-30. The Iowa Department of Education also accredits the college under Iowa Code 260C.48, with its next state visit in fall 2029.
Under the federal measure, 43% of first-time, full-time students who started in fall 2021 graduated within 150% of normal time (three years for a two-year degree), and 8% transferred out (College Navigator). Full-time retention is 71%. Licensure and certification results published by the Iowa Board of Nursing and on Kirkwood’s program pages (Board of Nursing figures as we read them in October 2026):
| Measure | Result | Cohort | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (Associate Degree Nursing) | 94.70% of 151 first-time candidates | 2025 calendar year | Iowa Board of Nursing |
| NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing) | 98.15% of 108 first-time candidates | 2025 calendar year | Iowa Board of Nursing |
| Dental Hygiene national board | 94% (18 of 19) | 2024 | Program page |
| Dental Assisting (DANB) | 100% (19 of 19) | August 2024 graduates | Program page |
| Medical Assisting (CMA) | 81.40% average | 2020–2024 | Program page |
| Medical Laboratory Technology (ASCP) | 100% certification and 100% job placement | 2025 graduates | Program page |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (NPTE) | 83% first attempt (10 of 12); 91.7% eventually | 2024 | Program page |
| Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) | 100% | Class of 2025 | Program page |
| Veterinary Technician (VTNE) | 80.42% of 46 first-time candidates | 2023–2025 | Program page |
The Paramedic program publishes no NREMT pass rate, and the Plumbing program’s “nearly a 100 percent employment placement rate” comes with no cohort or year.
Before you enroll
- The county centers do not teach full programs. Vinton, Williamsburg, Monticello and Washington offer single credit classes, dual credit, high school completion and continuing education. Career programs are in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha (OTA, PTA) and Coralville (Medical Laboratory Technology, Business Administration).
- Some programs are closing or have closed. Pharmacy Technician runs for the last time in 2025-26; Web Application Development no longer takes new students; Dental Technology was ended in February 2023, when the board also dropped the behind-the-wheel part of truck-driving training and cut 28 positions. The Iowa City campus closed in 2023-24.
- Check accreditation claims carefully. Interior Design says it complies with CIDA standards, which is not CIDA accreditation, and the Paralegal program does not mention ABA approval. Diesel Technologies states no ASE or AED accreditation.
- Several health programs are selective and start once a year, and Dental Hygiene students must get themselves to clinic at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.
- There is no college housing. Students rent from private apartment complexes, most within a mile of the main campus, and apply to each complex directly.
Locations
Kirkwood has a main campus and six regional and county centers, all in Iowa:
- Main campus, Cedar Rapids (6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW): almost all career programs, the Automotive Technology Center and The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, the teaching hotel used by Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. Aviation Maintenance uses a college hangar at The Eastern Iowa Airport.
- Linn County Regional Center, Hiawatha: Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant, plus general-education courses.
- Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa, Coralville: Medical Laboratory Technology, Business Administration and Liberal Arts transfer degrees.
- Benton County Center (Vinton), Iowa County Center (Williamsburg), Jones County Regional Center (Monticello) and Washington County Regional Center (Washington): single credit classes, dual credit, high school completion and continuing education.
The Kirkwood Continuing Education Training Center on 50th Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids runs non-credit training such as OSHA compliance, hazmat and wastewater courses.
Housing, support and career help
Kirkwood has no dorms; private complexes within about a mile of the main campus offer around 3,500 beds in one- to four-bedroom units. Students can use a food pantry, mental-health counseling, tutoring and writing help. For work experience, the Linn County Regional Center runs the Workplace Learning Connection for job shadows and internships, and the state’s IowaWORKS Cedar Rapids office moved onto Kirkwood property in August 2025. Construction Management, Plumbing and Financial Services build internships into the program.
What students say
On Niche, Kirkwood has 4.08 out of 5 from 752 reviews (checked October 2026); most give four or five stars. Reviewers most often praise small classes and personal attention, instructors they describe as friendly, knowledgeable and willing to help, low cost, and support such as tutoring, counseling and the food pantry. The main complaints are campus food, thin student life and recreation, and some confusion over cost information in the student portal. The most recent reviews date from July to September 2025 and show no sign of a burst of posting, though the college has claimed its Niche profile.
Sources
Checked October 2026: Kirkwood locations · Tuition and costs 2026-27 · HLC institution page · Kirkwood accreditation · College Navigator · Iowa Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN results · NCLEX-PN results · Corridor Business Journal on the Iowa City campus
Programs & Courses
Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing (ADN, RN)
- Practical Nursing (LPN exit diploma)
- LPN Transfer into the ADN
Health & Wellness
- Dental Hygiene
- Dental Assisting
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Laboratory Technology (Coralville)
- Clinical Laboratory Assistant (certificate)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant (Hiawatha)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (Hiawatha)
- Paramedicine
- Respiratory Therapist
- Surgical Technology
- Diagnostic Assistant
- Electroneurodiagnostic Technology
- Exercise Science & Wellness
Manufacturing, Trades & Transportation
- Aviation Maintenance Technology (AAS, Airframe, Powerplant)
- Advanced Welding Technologies
- Automotive Technology
- Automotive Collision Repair & Restoration
- Diesel Technologies
- Carpentry
- Construction Management
- CNC Machining Technology
- HVAC Installer
- Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship
- Industrial Maintenance Technology
- Water Environmental Technology (online)
STEM & IT
- CAD/Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Electronics Engineering Technology
- Computer Software Development
- Computer Support Specialist
- Network & System Administration
- Cybersecurity and Compliance (mostly online)
Arts & Design
- Architectural Technology
- Interior Design & Interior Architecture
- Digital Arts
- Music (AAA, transfer preparation)
Business
- Accounting (online)
- Financial Services (online)
- Business Administration
- Business Administration: Management (online)
- Business Administration: Administrative Management
- Business Administration: Marketing Management
- Business Analytics Technician (online)
- FlexFORWARD certificates: Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Project Management (online)
Social Services, Safety & Education
- Fire Science Technology
- Criminal Justice
- Paralegal (online)
- Early Childhood Education
- Human Services
Animals, Food & Land
- Culinary Arts
- Hospitality Management
- Veterinary Technician
- Agricultural Science
- Agriculture Business
- Horticulture Sciences
- Parks & Natural Resources
- Pet Grooming (12-week non-credit certificate)
University transfer (AA/AS)
- Liberal Arts AA and AS, on campus or online, with tracks including Psychology, Communication Studies, Journalism, Theatre, Political Science, Economics, Computer Science and Engineering
Campus Locations
Cedar Rapids, IA (Main Campus) 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Cedar Rapids (Hiawatha), IA 1770 Boyson Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233
Iowa City (Coralville), IA 2301 Oakdale Blvd, Coralville, IA 52241
Vinton, IA 111 W 3rd Street, Vinton, IA 52349
Williamsburg, IA 200 West Street, Williamsburg, IA 52361
Monticello, IA 220 Welter Drive, Monticello, IA 52310
Washington, IA 2192 Lexington Blvd, Washington, IA 52353