DMACC vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than DMACC based on total student enrollment (30,779 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); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Des Moines Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Des Moines Area Community College 21:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

DMACC vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DMACC or Iowa? 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 ($10,755 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Des Moines Area Community College are 36.2% lower than at University of Iowa ($8,244 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 94.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DMACC (about $5,493 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $5,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 398.8% higher at Iowa than at Des Moines Area Community College (about $26,681 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $6,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at Des Moines Area Community College (76% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 81.3% larger than aid received by Des Moines Area Community College students ($9,865 vs. $5,442).

DMACC vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• Des Moines Area Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DMACC - Open admission; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.

DMACC vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DMACC and Iowa? 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 University of Iowa earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than DMACC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Des Moines Area Community College graduates have a $11,491 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($10,125 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, DMACC graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($104 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DMACC students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.