Quick Facts

• Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Address: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
• School Type: Public Community & Technical College
• Programs Offered: Advanced Welding, Automotive Technology, Auto Collision Repair, Diesel Technologies, HVAC Installer, Industrial Maintenance, CNC Machining, Carpentry, Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship, Aviation Maintenance and Construction Management
• Training Style: Hands-on labs, certificates, diplomas and associate degrees
• Tuition Range: $229 per credit for Iowa residents based on current 2026–27 program estimates
• Program Length: Approximately 9 months to 2 years for most industrial programs
• Online Programs Available: Yes; Water Environmental Technology is one fully online technical option
• Hybrid Learning: Selected courses/programs; core mechanical trades primarily require hands-on training
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, grants, loans, scholarships and work-study for eligible programs
• Class Options: Full-time, campus-based and selected online/flexible courses
• Accreditation: Institutionally accredited; individual programs may hold additional industry credentials
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.4 (207 Reviews)
• Website: Official Kirkwood website

Overview

Kirkwood Community College is one of the strongest trade-school options in eastern Iowa. Its Cedar Rapids main campus offers a broad Manufacturing, Trades and Transportation division with programs ranging from nine months to two years. Students train in redesigned hands-on laboratories using equipment intended to mirror modern workplaces.

The lineup is unusually comprehensive: welding, automotive, collision repair, diesel, HVAC, industrial maintenance, CNC machining, carpentry and plumbing pre-apprenticeship are all available within the same college. Kirkwood also awards more than $3 million in scholarships annually and notes that many industrial-technology programs have dedicated scholarship opportunities.

Programs Offered

Major trade programs include:

• Advanced Welding Technologies
• Automotive Technology
• Automotive Collision Repair
• Diesel Technologies
• HVAC Installer
• Industrial Maintenance Technology
• CNC Machining Technology
• Carpentry
• Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship
• Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Construction Management
• CAD/Mechanical Engineering Technology

Advanced Welding Technologies

Kirkwood’s welding program combines hands-on instruction with equipment that includes virtual-reality welding technology. Students can work toward American Welding Society certifications in processes including:

• SMAW / Stick
• GMAW / MIG
• GTAW / TIG

The curriculum aligns with AWS SENSE standards, and Kirkwood says students can prepare for SENSE Level 1 and Level 2 credentials over the two-year pathway. An Entry-Level Welder diploma is also available, and state/federal financial aid may be used for that diploma by eligible students.

Automotive Technology

Automotive Technology is a two-year program with substantial emphasis on modern automotive electronics and computerized systems.

Training covers:

• Automotive electrical systems
• Computerized fuel delivery
• Mechanical systems
• Hydraulic systems
• Diagnostics
• Service tools and equipment
• Shop safety

The program is Master-certified by the ASE Education Foundation, and Kirkwood’s automotive instructors are ASE-certified Master Technicians.

Classes are held in the Automotive Technology Center just north of the main campus.

Automotive Collision Repair

Kirkwood’s Automotive Collision Repair diploma is a 44-credit program.

For 2026–27, Kirkwood currently estimates:

• In-state tuition — $10,076
• Technology fees — $150
• Additional course/resource/equipment costs — extra

Students learn metalworking, refinishing, collision welding, basic automotive electricity, body straightening and painting. Instruction incorporates current I-CAR curriculum and standards.

HVAC Installer

The HVAC Installer diploma is a one-year, 34.5-credit hands-on program.

Training focuses primarily on residential and light-commercial systems and includes:

• HVAC installation
• Refrigerant handling
• Electrical applications
• Mechanical/electrical blueprints
• System design
• HVAC components
• Code requirements

For 2026–27, published in-state tuition is $7,900.50, plus $100 in technology fees, approximately $140 in course resources and $686 in course/section fees, before other applicable expenses.

Industrial Maintenance Technology

Industrial Maintenance combines electrical, mechanical and manufacturing skills. Students study:

• Electrical theory
• Motors and transformers
• Industrial controls
• Hydraulics and pneumatics
• Mechanical systems
• Wiring
• PLC/programming concepts
• Welding and fabrication
• Plumbing
• Light machining

The college’s current estimated total program cost is approximately $10,245.50, including published tuition, technology fees, course resources, required laptop and listed program expenses.

Students can also earn shorter credentials such as Industrial Automation or Electromechanical Technology.

Construction & Plumbing

Kirkwood offers a one-year Carpentry diploma and a one-year Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship diploma. The latter is designed to provide entry-level preparation before entering the plumbing industry.

Construction Management is a two-year AAS that includes hands-on construction labs, architectural drafting/CAD, estimating and a full-time paid summer internship.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Current Kirkwood program estimates use tuition of:

• Iowa resident — $229 per credit
• Out-of-state — $306 per credit
• International — $400 per credit

For 2026–27, Kirkwood estimates $6,512 in annual tuition and fees for a full-time student in its standard cost-of-attendance calculation.

Financial assistance can include FAFSA-based federal aid, Pell Grants, other grants, scholarships and loans. Kirkwood awards more than $3 million in scholarships annually, and qualifying students in programs such as automotive, welding and industrial maintenance may be eligible for Iowa’s Kibbie Grant, which can cover up to half of tuition.

Why Students Choose This School

• Extensive skilled-trades selection
• $229-per-credit Iowa tuition
• ASE Master-certified automotive program
• AWS-aligned welding training
• One-year HVAC pathway
• Advanced industrial-maintenance labs
• CNC and manufacturing training
• Carpentry and plumbing pathways
• More than $3 million in annual scholarships
• Credentials from diploma through AAS level

Career Opportunities

Depending on program, graduates may pursue roles such as:

• Welder/Fabricator
• Automotive Technician
• Collision Repair Technician
• HVAC Installer
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• CNC Machinist
• Carpenter
• Plumbing Apprentice
• Diesel Technician
• Aviation Maintenance Technician
• Construction Technician

Licensing and apprenticeship requirements vary by occupation.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.4 (207 Reviews)

Because Kirkwood is a large community college, applicants should focus on recent reviews involving their specific industrial or transportation program.

Enrollment Tips

Many Kirkwood trades require a program conference in addition to normal college admission. This currently applies to welding, automotive, collision repair, aviation maintenance, carpentry, CNC, construction management, diesel, HVAC, industrial maintenance and plumbing pre-apprenticeship.

Students should also compare diploma and degree routes. A one-year HVAC, carpentry or plumbing credential may provide faster workforce entry, while programs such as Automotive Technology and Construction Management provide broader two-year training.

Bottom Line

Kirkwood Community College deserves to be one of the featured trade schools on your Iowa page. Its combination of welding, automotive, diesel, HVAC, industrial maintenance, CNC, carpentry and construction training makes it one of the most comprehensive skilled-trades colleges in the state. Current resident tuition of $229 per credit also makes it considerably more affordable than many private trade schools.