DMACC vs. Iowa Central Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Des Moines Area Community College is larger than Iowa Central Community College based on total student enrollment (23,697 students vs. 4,949 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Des Moines Area Community College is located in Ankeny, IA (Rural Fringe setting); Iowa Central Community College is in Fort Dodge, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Des Moines Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Iowa Central Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Des Moines Area Community College 21:1; Iowa Central Community College 19:1.

DMACC vs. Iowa Central Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DMACC or Iowa Central Community College? 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 Iowa Central Community College than DMACC ($9,902 vs. $10,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Des Moines Area Community College are 4.7% lower than at Iowa Central Community College ($8,244 vs. $8,655).
• Des Moines Area Community College is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa Central Community College (about $294 more per year; $5,790.00 vs. $5,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Iowa Central Community College than at Des Moines Area Community College (about $1,098 more per year; $7,788.00 vs. $6,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa Central Community College than at Des Moines Area Community College (93% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa Central Community College students is 9% larger than aid received by Des Moines Area Community College students ($5,934 vs. $5,442).

DMACC vs. Iowa Central Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DMACC or Iowa Central Community College? 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 Central Community College 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 Central Community College - Open admission.

DMACC vs. Iowa Central Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DMACC and Iowa Central Community College? 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 Iowa Central Community College earn a median of about $900 more per year than DMACC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,500 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Des Moines Area Community College graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than Iowa Central Community College graduates ($10,125 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, DMACC graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa Central Community College graduates ($104 vs. $113).
• More Iowa Central Community College 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.