DMACC vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than DMACC based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 23,697 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Des Moines Area Community College is located in Ankeny, IA (Rural Fringe setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
• Des Moines Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Des Moines Area Community College 21:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

DMACC vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DMACC or ISU? 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 ISU ($10,755 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Des Moines Area Community College are 23.7% lower than at Iowa State University ($8,244 vs. $10,808).
• Iowa State University is 86.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than DMACC (about $4,997 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $5,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 331.7% higher at ISU than at Des Moines Area Community College (about $22,191 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $6,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at Des Moines Area Community College (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 98.3% larger than aid received by Des Moines Area Community College students ($10,791 vs. $5,442).

DMACC vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DMACC or ISU? 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 ISU and DMACC.

• Des Moines Area Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DMACC - Open admission; ISU - Test optional.

DMACC vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DMACC and ISU? 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 State University earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than DMACC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Des Moines Area Community College graduates have a $13,743 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($10,125 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, DMACC graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($104 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DMACC students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.