Iowa Lakes Community College vs North Iowa Area Community College
CERT programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.
At a glance
Side-by-side details
Best value in each row is highlighted.
| Iowa Lakes Community College Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | North Iowa Area Community College Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | |
|---|---|---|
| Program type | CERT | CERT |
| Format | in person | in person |
| Location | Estherville, IA | Mason City, IA |
| Length | 12 months | 12 months |
| NCLEX pass rate | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | — | — |
| Avg accepted GPA | — | — |
| Min GPA | — | — |
| Entrance exam | — | — |
| Total tuition | $7,196 in / $7,644 out | $6,436 in / $9,245 outBEST |
| In-state tuition | $7,196 | $6,436BEST |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,644BEST | $9,245 |
| Clinical placement | — | — |
| Accreditation | SCORECARD_BASELINE | SCORECARD_BASELINE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Iowa Lakes Community College or North Iowa Area Community College?
North Iowa Area Community College is the more affordable option at roughly $6,436, compared to $7,196. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.
Are Iowa Lakes Community College and North Iowa Area Community College the same type of program?
Both are CERT programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.
How do I decide between Iowa Lakes Community College and North Iowa Area Community College?
Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.
Want a personalized fit score?
Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.