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CNC machinist training in Iowa

10 CNC machinist programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

7 schools offer these machinist programs, and Iowa has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Machinists set up and run equipment, including computer-controlled (CNC) machines, to make precision metal parts and tools. Community colleges and technical schools offer certificates and two-year degrees that teach reading engineering drawings and programming CNC machines.1

In Iowa, 6 of the 10 programs take students without a high school diploma and 4 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 10 programs here are machinist certificate or diploma (5 programs), machinist (associate degree, 4 programs) and CNC or machine operator (1 program).

See the 10 programs

How much does CNC machinist training cost in Iowa?

$3,715 to $12,726 is what most CNC machinist programs in Iowa cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 10 programs with a price. All of them: $2,589 to $20,740

In the typical program

Finished the program
54%
Working 6 months later
85%
Earned a year, estimated
about $45,100
Length
23 to 70 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Iowa may also offer CNC machinist training. How these figures are made

Is there free CNC machinist training in Iowa?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: paid apprenticeships, financial aid and the GI Bill

All 10 CNC machinist programs in Iowa approved for WIOA funding

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10 programs

  • Machinist certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    CNC Machining Certificate

    Hawkeye Community College

    Waterloo

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Hawkeye Community College, WaterlooMachinist certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$41,900
    Price if you pay yourself$2,859
    Program website, CNC Machining Certificate at Hawkeye Community College
    More details about CNC Machining Certificate at Hawkeye Community College
    Finished
    54%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,465
    Length
    22 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    99
    Earned a year, estimated
    $41,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,859
    Program website, CNC Machining Certificate at Hawkeye Community College

  • Machinist (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    CNC Machining Technology

    Kirkwood Community College

    Cedar Rapids

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Kirkwood Community College, Cedar RapidsMachinist (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$50,800
    Price if you pay yourself$14,700
    Program website, CNC Machining Technology at Kirkwood Community College
    More details about CNC Machining Technology at Kirkwood Community College
    Finished
    33%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,695
    Length
    80 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $5,366
    Students counted
    75
    Earned a year, estimated
    $50,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,700
    Program website, CNC Machining Technology at Kirkwood Community College

  • Machinist (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    CNC Machine Operator

    Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

    Davenport

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, DavenportMachinist (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$59,000
    Price if you pay yourself$11,928
    Program website, CNC Machine Operator at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
    More details about CNC Machine Operator at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
    Finished
    26%
    Working at 6 months
    65%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,747
    Length
    80 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $500
    Students counted
    67
    Earned a year, estimated
    $59,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,928
    Program website, CNC Machine Operator at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

  • Machinist (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Machine Technology, A.A.S.

    Indian Hills Community College

    Ottumwa

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Indian Hills Community College, OttumwaMachinist (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$45,100
    Price if you pay yourself$20,740
    Program website, Machine Technology, A.A.S. at Indian Hills Community College
    More details about Machine Technology, A.A.S. at Indian Hills Community College
    Finished
    62%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,265
    Length
    72 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    51
    Earned a year, estimated
    $45,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $20,740
    Program website, Machine Technology, A.A.S. at Indian Hills Community College

  • Machinist certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    CNC Machinist Certificate Program

    Kirkwood Community College

    Cedar Rapids

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Kirkwood Community College, Cedar RapidsMachinist certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$60,100
    Price if you pay yourself$5,500
    Program website, CNC Machinist Certificate Program at Kirkwood Community College
    More details about CNC Machinist Certificate Program at Kirkwood Community College
    Finished
    4%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,036
    Length
    25 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    41
    Earned a year, estimated
    $60,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,500
    Program website, CNC Machinist Certificate Program at Kirkwood Community College

  • Machinist certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    CNC Machinist Technician *CNC.DP

    Northeast Iowa Community College

    Calmar

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Northeast Iowa Community College, CalmarMachinist certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$43,600
    Price if you pay yourself$9,614
    Program website, CNC Machinist Technician *CNC.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College
    More details about CNC Machinist Technician *CNC.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College
    Finished
    56%
    Working at 6 months
    79%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,892
    Length
    44 weeks, 26 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,400
    Students counted
    25
    Earned a year, estimated
    $43,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,614
    Program website, CNC Machinist Technician *CNC.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College

  • Machinist (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Precision Machining and CNC Technology AAS

    Southeastern Community College

    West Burlington

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeastern Community College, West BurlingtonMachinist (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$36,700
    Price if you pay yourself$12,992
    Program website, Precision Machining and CNC Technology AAS at Southeastern Community College
    More details about Precision Machining and CNC Technology AAS at Southeastern Community College
    Finished
    72%
    Working at 6 months
    85%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,171
    Length
    64 weeks, 23 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    20
    Earned a year, estimated
    $36,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,992
    Program website, Precision Machining and CNC Technology AAS at Southeastern Community College

  • CNC or machine operatorIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operator *CNC.CPC

    Northeast Iowa Community College

    Calmar

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast Iowa Community College, CalmarCNC or machine operator · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,589
    Program website, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operator *CNC.CPC at Northeast Iowa Community College
    More details about Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operator *CNC.CPC at Northeast Iowa Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,589
    Program website, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operator *CNC.CPC at Northeast Iowa Community College

  • Machinist certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    CNC Machining

    Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

    Davenport

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, DavenportMachinist certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,120
    Program website, CNC Machining at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
    More details about CNC Machining at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $500
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,120
    Program website, CNC Machining at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

  • Machinist certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CNC Machining - Diploma

    Iowa Western Community College

    Council Bluffs

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Iowa Western Community College, Council BluffsMachinist certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,963
    Program website, CNC Machining - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College
    More details about CNC Machining - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 23 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,251
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,963
    Program website, CNC Machining - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College

How to pay for CNC machinist training in Iowa

WIOA funding can pay for CNC machinist training in Iowa

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Paid machinist apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a job: you're paid to learn, with a raise as your skills grow, and most include classroom teaching. You apply to the employer or the program sponsor. Ask what you'll pay for the classroom part and what you'll earn on the job.6

Financial aid and grants for CNC machinist training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for CNC machinist training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: CNC machinist training in Iowa

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
31st of 34
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
13 of 15
CNC machinist programs here, against the typical state's 12
10 vs 12

State comparisons use the same figures as the CNC machinist training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Machinist apprenticeships in Iowa

A machinist apprenticeship is usually run by an employer. It combines paid training on the job with related classes and lasts several years.1

You apply to the employer or the program sponsor, not through a school.6 The Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder lists openings by place and job. None of the CNC machinist programs on this page is an apprenticeship.

What is an apprenticeship, and can WIOA pay for one?

CNC machinist training in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Waterloo and other Iowa cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Iowa

How CNC machinist training compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in Iowa

Where the Iowa machinist program numbers come from

Which Iowa machinist programs are on this list?

These are the machinist programs Iowa approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Iowa offers.

How the prices and results of Iowa machinist programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about CNC machinist training in Iowa

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Machinists and Tool and Die Makers
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov: Discover Apprenticeship: Earn While You Learn Today (fact sheet)
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List