DMACC vs. Iowa Valley Community College District

Comparable Facts

Compare Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, IA with Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Des Moines Area Community College is larger than Iowa Valley Community College District based on total student enrollment (23,697 students vs. 685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Des Moines Area Community College is located in Ankeny, IA (Rural Fringe setting); Ellsworth Community College is in Iowa Falls, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Des Moines Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Ellsworth Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Des Moines Area Community College 21:1; Ellsworth Community College 16:1.

DMACC vs. Iowa Valley Community College District Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DMACC or Iowa Valley Community College District? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Des Moines Area Community College than Iowa Valley Community College District ($10,755 vs. $11,920).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Des Moines Area Community College are 8.4% lower than at Ellsworth Community College ($8,244 vs. $9,000).
• Des Moines Area Community College is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa Valley Community College District (about $294 more per year; $5,790.00 vs. $5,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at DMACC than at Ellsworth Community College (about $186 more per year; $6,690.00 vs. $6,504.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ellsworth Community College than at Des Moines Area Community College (91% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ellsworth Community College students is 22.9% larger than aid received by Des Moines Area Community College students ($6,690 vs. $5,442).

DMACC vs. Iowa Valley Community College District Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DMACC or Iowa Valley Community College District? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Iowa Valley Community College District and DMACC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DMACC - Open admission; Iowa Valley Community College District - Open admission.

DMACC vs. Iowa Valley Community College District Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DMACC and Iowa Valley Community College District? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Ellsworth Community College earn a median of about $400 more per year than DMACC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,000 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Des Moines Area Community College graduates have a $625 lower median loan debt than Iowa Valley Community College District graduates ($10,125 vs. $10,750).
• Among borrowers, DMACC graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa Valley Community College District graduates ($104 vs. $111).
• More Iowa Valley Community College District graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DMACC students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.