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Accredited first responder schools in Iowa

13 accredited schools in Iowa offer first responder programs approved for WIOA funding

These schools are on the US Department of Education's list of accredited schools, and Iowa has approved their programs for workforce funding. Between them they offer 33 of the 33 first responder programs on the state's list.

The Department doesn't accredit schools itself. It reviews accrediting agencies and lists the ones it recognizes as reliable judges of the quality of the education they accredit.1 Each school below names its accreditor, the year it was first accredited where the list records it, and its next review.

WIOA funding doesn't require accreditation. Besides colleges, a state can approve other public and private training providers,2 so many short courses come from schools that aren't on the Department's list. Their programs and results are on each field's page.

First responder training in Iowa, every school, with costs and results

All job training programs in Iowa

More accredited schools in Iowa: Trade schools · Nursing schools · Medical certification programs · Allied health programs · IT schools · Business schools · Beauty schools · Transportation schools · Culinary and hospitality schools · Child care and social services programs

Accredited first responder schools in other states

Accredited EMT and paramedic programs in Iowa

All 12 schools with EMT and paramedic programs on Iowa's list are accredited. They offer all 22 programs. See these programs with prices and results

Show the other 2 accredited schools

  • Iowa Western Community College

    Council Bluffs

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2029

    1 program

  • North Iowa Area Community College

    Mason City

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2034

    1 program

Accredited criminal justice programs in Iowa

All 6 schools with criminal justice programs on Iowa's list are accredited. They offer all 7 programs. See these programs with prices and results

Accredited firefighter programs in Iowa

All 3 schools with firefighter programs on Iowa's list are accredited. They offer all 4 programs. See these programs with prices and results

How we matched Iowa's schools to the accreditation list

Which schools are counted?

Schools with programs Iowa approved for WIOA funding in public safety, from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).3 The two lists share no ID number, so we matched each school by its website and name in the same state, and checked every unclear case by hand. A school that only hosts a college's classes doesn't count as the college. Where we couldn't tell, the school is left out.

How current is the accreditation?

We read the Department's list of October 24, 2026 and count only current accreditation. The Department notes that agencies report this information, that it isn't audited, and that the agency itself has the latest status.1 Before you enroll, check the school's standing with its accreditor.

Sources for the accreditation facts about Iowa

Show the 3 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), data files of 2026-10-24
  2. 20 CFR 680.410, What is an eligible training provider? (eCFR)
  3. 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