DMACC vs. North Iowa Area Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Des Moines Area Community College is larger than North Iowa Area Community College based on total student enrollment (23,697 students vs. 2,662 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Des Moines Area Community College is located in Ankeny, IA (Rural Fringe setting); North Iowa Area Community College is in Mason City, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Des Moines Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. North Iowa Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Des Moines Area Community College 21:1; North Iowa Area Community College 23:1.

DMACC vs. North Iowa Area Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DMACC or North Iowa Area 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 North Iowa Area Community College than DMACC ($9,852 vs. $10,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Iowa Area Community College are 3% lower than at Des Moines Area Community College ($8,000 vs. $8,244).
• North Iowa Area Community College is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DMACC (about $863 more per year; $6,653.00 vs. $5,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.8% higher at North Iowa Area Community College than at Des Moines Area Community College (about $2,861 more per year; $9,551.00 vs. $6,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Iowa Area Community College than at Des Moines Area Community College (86% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Iowa Area Community College students is 28.9% larger than aid received by Des Moines Area Community College students ($7,017 vs. $5,442).

DMACC vs. North Iowa Area Community College Admissions comparison

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

DMACC vs. North Iowa Area Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DMACC and North Iowa Area 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 $900 more per year than North Iowa Area Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Iowa Area Community College graduates have a $1,610 lower median loan debt than DMACC graduates ($8,515 vs. $10,125).
• Among borrowers, North Iowa Area Community College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DMACC graduates ($88 vs. $104).
• More North Iowa Area Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DMACC students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.