Quick Facts

• Location: Waterloo, Iowa
• Address: 1501 E Orange Rd, Waterloo, IA 50701
• School Type: Public Community & Technical College
• Programs Offered: Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, Welding, CNC Machining, Industrial Automation, Industrial Maintenance, Auto Collision, Construction Trades, Electrical/Carpentry/Plumbing Apprenticeships and more
• Training Style: Hands-on labs, classroom instruction, competency-based training and apprenticeship-related education
• Tuition Range: $241 per credit for Iowa residents in 2026–27, including the student activity fee
• Program Length: Short 2-month certificates through 1-year diplomas and 2-year AAS degrees; apprenticeships generally take multiple years
• Online Programs Available: Yes, selected coursework
• Hybrid Learning: Yes — some programs, including Advanced Manufacturing Welding, explicitly combine online coursework with in-person labs
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, grants, loans, scholarships, work-study and Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship for qualifying programs/students
• Class Options: Daytime, evening, face-to-face, hybrid and selected online courses
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission and Iowa Department of Education
• FAFSA School Code: 004595
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.3 (81 Reviews)
• Website: Official website

Overview

Hawkeye Community College is one of the stronger trade and industrial-training options in northeast Iowa. Its Waterloo campus combines traditional associate-degree programs with shorter workforce credentials and employer-oriented training in automotive, diesel, welding, CNC, automation and industrial maintenance.

For students who want hands-on mechanical training, Hawkeye has substantial laboratory facilities. Automotive students use modern diagnostics and alignment equipment, diesel students work on agricultural and heavy equipment, and manufacturing students train in the college’s Automation and Robotics Center with PLCs, robotics, machine vision and smart sensors.

Hawkeye is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Iowa Department of Education. Its Automotive Technology program also holds ASE Education Foundation accreditation.

Programs Offered

Trade-oriented options include:

• Automotive Technology
• Diesel Technology
• Auto Collision Technologies
• Advanced Manufacturing Welding
• Intermediate Manufacturing Welding
• Production Welding
• CNC Machining & Tool-Making
• Industrial Automation Technology
• Industrial Maintenance
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Carpentry Apprenticeship
• Electrical Apprenticeship
• Plumbing Apprenticeship

Automotive Technology

Hawkeye’s Automotive Technology program is a two-year, 76-credit Associate of Applied Science degree taught face-to-face during the daytime.

Training covers:

• Brakes
• Steering and suspension
• Engine repair
• Starting and charging systems
• Automotive electronics
• Computerized engine controls
• Manual and automatic transmissions
• Differentials and four-wheel drive
• Fuel and ignition systems
• Automotive heating and air conditioning

Students can also earn industry credentials including ASE student certifications, EPA Section 609 certification and selected Snap-on/NC3 credentials. The program qualifies for Iowa’s Future Ready Last-Dollar Scholarship for eligible students.

Diesel Technology

Diesel Technology is another two-year AAS program, requiring 72 credits and taught face-to-face.

Students train with systems used in trucks, agricultural machinery and heavy equipment, including:

• Diesel engines
• Fuel and emission systems
• Hydraulics
• Electrical/electronic systems
• Power trains
• Preventive maintenance
• Heavy-equipment repair

The program has industry connections with CNH TopTech and Freightliner training, and students work with equipment including Case IH and John Deere machinery.

Welding

Hawkeye offers several levels of welding training.

The Advanced Manufacturing Welding Diploma is:

• 1 year
• 44 credits
• Hybrid
• Fall or spring start

The hybrid structure is genuine: lectures, readings and quizzes are completed online while welding labs are completed in person.

Training includes:

• GMAW/MIG
• SMAW/Stick
• FCAW
• GTAW/TIG
• Thermal cutting
• Robotic welding
• Blueprint reading

For students wanting much shorter training, the Production Welding Workplace Certificate can be completed in about two months. A recent offering cost $3,775, although current session pricing should be confirmed before publishing it as an ongoing price. The short certificate is not eligible for federal financial aid.

CNC & Industrial Technology

Hawkeye’s CNC training includes manual machining fundamentals before students advance into CNC programming, Mastercam, EDM, precision inspection, moldmaking and tool-and-die work.

Industrial Maintenance training includes:

• Variable-frequency drives
• Electrical-system installation
• Process control
• Welding
• Hydraulics
• Motor controls
• Troubleshooting

Students have access to Hawkeye’s Automation and Robotics Center for advanced manufacturing equipment such as robots, PLCs and smart sensors.

Apprenticeship Training

Hawkeye also provides related instruction for skilled-trade apprenticeships.

Current construction offerings include:

• Carpentry Apprenticeship
• Electrical Apprenticeship
• Plumbing Apprenticeship

Each apprenticeship level includes approximately 144 classroom training hours. Electrical apprenticeship classes are available in both face-to-face and online formats.

These programs should not be confused with ordinary college degrees. Apprentices generally work in the trade while completing required related instruction.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For 2026–27, Hawkeye lists:

• Iowa resident tuition — $234 per credit
• Student activity fee — $7 per credit
• Total resident tuition and fees — $241 per credit
• Nonresident total — $242 per credit

For its standard financial-aid cost-of-attendance calculation, Hawkeye estimates $6,989 in tuition/activity fees plus about $550 for books, materials and supplies during 2026–27. Living and transportation costs are separate.

Financial assistance can include:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal student loans
• State aid
• Hawkeye scholarships
• Work-study
• Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship

Hawkeye’s FAFSA school code is 004595.

For eligible high-demand programs, the Last-Dollar Scholarship can cover remaining tuition and eligible fees after other grants and scholarships. Automotive Technology is among the qualifying 2026–27 programs.

Why Students Choose This School

• Public community-college tuition
• Strong automotive and diesel programs
• ASE-accredited automotive training
• Multiple levels of welding education
• Genuine hybrid welding option
• Advanced automation and robotics facilities
• CNC and industrial-maintenance pathways
• Registered apprenticeship instruction
• Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship for selected programs

Career Opportunities

Depending on the program, graduates may pursue entry-level roles such as:

• Automotive Technician
• Diesel Technician
• Heavy Equipment Technician
• Welder/Fabricator
• Robotic Welding Technician
• CNC Machinist
• Tool and Die Technician
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Automation Technician
• Electrician Apprentice
• Carpenter Apprentice
• Plumbing Apprentice

Licensing and apprenticeship occupations require additional employer, experience or state requirements.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.3 (81 Reviews)

Because Hawkeye is a full community college, students should prioritize reviews relating to their particular technical department rather than the overall institutional rating.

Enrollment Tips

Students interested in welding should compare the different levels carefully. A two-month production certificate is designed for fast workforce entry, while the one-year Advanced Manufacturing Welding diploma adds TIG, flux-core and robotic welding and provides a broader credential.

Automotive and diesel students should also budget for tools. Hawkeye provides access to professional equipment but publishes separate tool options and costs for some programs, especially Diesel Technology.

Bottom Line

Hawkeye Community College is an excellent Iowa option for students interested in automotive, diesel, welding, CNC, industrial maintenance and apprenticeships. At $241 per credit for Iowa residents in 2026–27, it combines relatively affordable public tuition with sophisticated hands-on facilities and several stackable paths from short workforce training to two-year degrees.