Iowa Lakes Community College

What Iowa Lakes Community College does

Iowa Lakes Community College is a public community college operating under the Iowa Community College system, founded in 1967 and headquartered in Estherville, Iowa. It delivers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across five campuses in Estherville, Emmetsburg, Spencer, Spirit Lake, and Algona — serving a regional northwest Iowa population alongside adult learners, veterans, and international students. The college offers over 70 nationally recognized programs organized around six Meta Majors (Agriculture; Arts/Business/Communications; Education/Human/Public Services; Health Sciences; STEM; and Skilled Trades/Industrial Technology), with concentrations in career and technical training, transfer degrees, high-school dual-credit pathways, and specialized programs like the Student Alternative Vocational Education (SAVE) for high-school special education students ages 18–21.

Revenue is generated primarily through per-credit tuition ($221–$244 depending on residency), housing and dining fees, federal Pell Grant and Iowa state aid administration, the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship, and an institutional grant pipeline (Federal Aviation Administration $493K in 2024, U.S. Department of Education $587K in 2023, Lumina Foundation $150K in 2023). The technology backbone is a packaged, non-proprietary stack: Canvas LMS for course delivery, the Iowa Community College Online Consortium for shared online courses, Microsoft Outlook, DocuSign, NelNet for installment billing, Convera GlobalPay for international tuition remittance, National Student Clearinghouse for transcript verification, and Grammarly as a student writing resource. Distribution and go-to-market rely on five physical campuses, the ICCOC online catalog, an embedded high-school dual-credit and Career Academy pipeline across regional Iowa districts, direct enrollment coaching, and recruitment through social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest). The college has no private shareholders; it is governed by a locally elected board of trustees and funded through state appropriations, local property tax, tuition, and federal allocations.

Name

Iowa Lakes Community College

Legal name

Iowa Lakes Community College

Website

https://iowalakes.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Iowa Lakes Community College is a public, state-funded community college operating five campuses across northwest Iowa, serving roughly 50–100 staff-supported regional, veteran, international, and dual-enrolled high school students with over 70 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (61121), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Community Colleges (EDAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE), Rural/Regional Community Colleges (EDAHADAK)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Career technical training
• Online distance learning
• Dual credit programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Estherville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from student tuition and fees charged per credit hour. Rates vary by residency status (Iowa resident, Minnesota resident, non-resident/international, ICCOC online). Additional fees include general fees ($7/credit) and technology fees ($10-15/credit).
2. Financial Aid Administration: College administers federal and state financial aid programs including Pell Grants, federal loans, Iowa state grants, and institutional scholarships. While aid is primarily pass-through to students, the college receives federal funding allocations based on enrollment.
3. Last-Dollar Scholarship Administration: Partners with Iowa Department of Education to administer the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship for eligible programs in high-demand workforce areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Iowa Lakes Community College provides affordable higher education and workforce training through associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across over 70 programs in career and technical fields, transfer majors, and continuing education. Programs are delivered through five regional campuses and an online learning platform, supported by dual credit high school partnerships, veteran services, and the ICCOC consortium.

Product overview

Iowa Lakes Community College offers a comprehensive educational platform with over 70 nationally recognized degrees, certificates, and pre-professional programs across six career pathway meta majors. The core offerings include Career & Technical Programs (50+ programs in healthcare, skilled trades, business, and technology) and Transfer Degrees/Majors (AA/AS degrees for four-year university transfer). The institution provides Online & Distance Learning via Canvas LMS within the Iowa Community College Online Consortium (ICCOC), and High School Partnerships programs enabling dual credit enrollment. Student support infrastructure includes a Self-Service Portal for enrollment and financial management, veteran services, and accessibility programs. The college operates across multiple campuses (Emmetsburg, Estherville, Spencer, Algona, and Spirit Lake) serving traditional students, adult learners, international students, and military veterans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career & Technical Programs Over 50 career-focused programs providing hands-on training for high-demand fields including healthcare, skilled trades, business, and technology. Programs include nursing, welding, automotive technology, HVAC, and veterinary technician, designed for students seeking direct entry into regional workforce.
• Transfer Degrees & Majors Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degrees designed to transfer to four-year institutions, with 24 transfer majors covering agriculture, business, education, sciences, and more. Includes established transfer pathway partnerships with Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa.
• Online & Distance Learning Flexible online education delivered through Canvas LMS, providing access to a wide range of online credit courses applicable toward degrees. Part of the Iowa Community College Online Consortium (ICCOC) of seven partner colleges. NC-SARA reciprocity enables online program delivery to students in other SARA member states.
• High School Partnerships (Career Connect) Career Connect dual credit and career academy programs allowing high school students to earn college credits while still in high school. Includes Career Academy (CTE courses), General Education Dual Credit, and Online Classes offered at high schools, college campuses, or online. NACEP-accredited for concurrent enrollment quality standards.
• Veteran & Military Services Services for veterans and military-connected students including Veterans Centers on Emmetsburg, Estherville, and Spencer campuses, veteran benefits assistance, and the Military Friendly School designation recognizing institutional commitment to this population.
• SAVE Program Student Alternative Vocational Education (SAVE) program providing vocational preparation for high school special education students ages 18-21 with unmet transition needs, including Career Readiness and General Education tracks.
• Canvas LMS Learning management system used for online and distance learning course delivery, assignments, grades, and student communication, accessible to students via single sign-on.
• Student Self-Service Portal Online portal for student enrollment, registration, course schedules, financial aid management, and tuition payments including NELNET payment plan enrollment.
• NelNet Payment Plans Tuition installment payment plan allowing students to spread educational expenses over manageable monthly payments through automatic bank or credit/debit card options, enrolled through the Self-Service Student Portal at $30 per semester.
• National Student Clearinghouse Transcripts Electronic official transcript ordering service allowing 24/7 ordering with electronic delivery in as little as one hour through the National Student Clearinghouse integration.
• Last-Dollar Scholarship Administration Administration of the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship for eligible programs in high-demand workforce areas, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Education as part of the state workforce initiative.
• Continuing & Professional Education Continuing education, workforce training, and professional development programs offered through ce.iowalakes.edu, including Adult Education & Literacy, ESL, the SAIL Third Age College, Reverse Credit Transfer, and Northwest Iowa STEM Hub programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48% of students graduate debt-free
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iowa State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer pathway partner allowing Iowa Lakes students completing associate degrees to transfer seamlessly as juniors to Iowa State University. Specific transfer major programs align curriculum for smooth transition.
• University of IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer pathway partner for students completing associate degrees to transfer to University of Iowa. Transfer major programs designed for seamless curriculum alignment.
• University of Northern IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer pathway partner enabling Iowa Lakes students to transfer to University of Northern Iowa. Joint transfer major programs facilitate smooth transition.
• Iowa Community College Online Consortium (ICCOC)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with seven Iowa community colleges allowing shared online credit courses. Enables Iowa Lakes to offer expanded course catalog through collaborative online platform.
• Iowa Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuture Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship administration partnership supporting students in high-demand workforce programs. State-funded financial support for eligible career and technical education students.
• Future Ready IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState workforce initiative partnership supporting Iowa's goal that 70% of workforce attains education or training beyond high school. Last-Dollar Scholarship program administration.
• Regional Iowa High SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDual credit and Career Academy partnerships with high schools throughout the Iowa Lakes district, enabling high school students to earn college credit while still in high school through Career Connect program.
• NACEP (National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships)minorOthersAccreditation body ensuring quality standards for concurrent enrollment and dual credit programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Northwest Iowa Community College: Public community college based in Sheldon, Iowa, serving an overlapping northwest Iowa geography with similar associate degrees, career & technical programs, and dual credit offerings; most directly comparable peer given proximity and rural service area.
• Iowa Central Community College: Fort Dodge-based public community college offering AA/AS transfer degrees, career and technical programs, athletics, and online learning through ICCOC; comparable size and rural Iowa service footprint.
• North Iowa Area Community College: Mason City-based public community college offering transfer degrees, CTE programs, and dual credit partnerships; similar scale, rural Iowa geography, and student demographics.
• Iowa Western Community College: Council Bluffs public community college with similar career and technical programs, transfer pathways, and online offerings through ICCOC; comparable multi-campus operational model.
• Indian Hills Community College: Ottumwa-based public community college serving rural southern Iowa with comparable AA/AS, CTE, and online programming; similar institutional scale and demographic profile.
• Southeastern Community College: Burlington-based public community college providing transfer degrees, career-technical education, and dual credit partnerships; comparable rural Iowa service model.
• Southwestern Community College: Creston-based public community college serving rural southwest Iowa; one of the smaller Iowa CCs with similar program breadth, athletics footprint, and online offerings via ICCOC.
• Eastern Iowa Community Colleges: Davenport-based multi-campus community college district offering transfer, CTE, and online programs; comparable multi-campus delivery model though serving a more urban service area.

Broad incumbents

• Kirkwood Community College: Largest Iowa community college based in Cedar Rapids with the state's broadest program catalog and ICCOC consortium leadership; broader incumbent with overlapping transfer and CTE offerings serving a larger geographic market.
• Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC): Largest Iowa community college by enrollment with extensive multi-campus footprint across central Iowa; broad incumbent offering AA/AS, CTE, dual credit, and online programs that overlap with Iowa Lakes' portfolio at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4FfaiAgt7wOFwd0D8Tg5bA
• Facebookfacebook.com/8309492034
• Instagraminstagram.com/iowalakescc
• Pinterestpinterest.com/iowalakescc/_saved
• Xx.com/iowalakes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iowa-lakes-community-college

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iowa Lakes Community College