DMACC vs. Iowa Western Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Des Moines Area Community College is larger than Iowa Western Community College based on total student enrollment (23,697 students vs. 5,540 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Des Moines Area Community College is located in Ankeny, IA (Rural Fringe setting); Iowa Western Community College is in Council Bluffs, IA (Small City setting).
• Des Moines Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Iowa Western Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Des Moines Area Community College 21:1; Iowa Western Community College 22:1.

DMACC vs. Iowa Western Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DMACC or Iowa Western 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 Des Moines Area Community College than Iowa Western Community College ($10,755 vs. $13,852).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Des Moines Area Community College are 5.8% lower than at Iowa Western Community College ($8,244 vs. $8,750).
• Iowa Western Community College is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than DMACC (about $1,140 more per year; $6,930.00 vs. $5,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Iowa Western Community College than at Des Moines Area Community College (about $390 more per year; $7,080.00 vs. $6,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa Western Community College than at Des Moines Area Community College (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa Western Community College students is 19.9% larger than aid received by Des Moines Area Community College students ($6,524 vs. $5,442).

DMACC vs. Iowa Western Community College Admissions comparison

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

DMACC vs. Iowa Western Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DMACC and Iowa Western 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 Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Iowa Western Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Des Moines Area Community College graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Iowa Western Community College graduates ($10,125 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, DMACC graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa Western Community College graduates ($104 vs. $124).
• More Iowa Western Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DMACC students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.