DMACC vs. Southeastern Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Des Moines Area Community College is larger than Southeastern Community College based on total student enrollment (23,697 students vs. 3,028 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Des Moines Area Community College is located in Ankeny, IA (Rural Fringe setting); Southeastern Community College is in West Burlington, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Des Moines Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southeastern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Des Moines Area Community College 21:1; Southeastern Community College 14:1.

DMACC vs. Southeastern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DMACC or Southeastern 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 Southeastern Community College than DMACC ($9,587 vs. $10,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Des Moines Area Community College are 20.1% lower than at Southeastern Community College ($8,244 vs. $10,324).
• Southeastern Community College is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DMACC (about $630 more per year; $6,420.00 vs. $5,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at DMACC than at Southeastern Community College (about $120 more per year; $6,690.00 vs. $6,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeastern Community College than at Des Moines Area Community College (74% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southeastern Community College students is 7% larger than aid received by Des Moines Area Community College students ($5,822 vs. $5,442).

DMACC vs. Southeastern Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DMACC or Southeastern 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 Southeastern 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; Southeastern Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southeastern Community College Mar 1, 2027.

DMACC vs. Southeastern Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DMACC and Southeastern 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 $5,000 more per year than Southeastern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $30,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Des Moines Area Community College graduates have a $75 lower median loan debt than Southeastern Community College graduates ($10,125 vs. $10,200).
• Among borrowers, DMACC graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southeastern Community College graduates ($104 vs. $105).
• More Southeastern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DMACC students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.