Iowa Central Community College vs. Kirkwood Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, IA with Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kirkwood Community College is larger than Iowa Central Community College based on total student enrollment (12,763 students vs. 4,949 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa Central Community College is located in Fort Dodge, IA (Remote Town setting); Kirkwood Community College is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Iowa Central Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Kirkwood Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa Central Community College 19:1; Kirkwood Community College 20:1.

Iowa Central Community College vs. Kirkwood Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa Central Community College or Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood Community College than Iowa Central Community College ($8,936 vs. $9,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa Central Community College are 4.8% lower than at Kirkwood Community College ($8,655 vs. $9,090).
• Kirkwood Community College is 12.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa Central Community College (about $680 more per year; $6,176.00 vs. $5,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Kirkwood Community College than at Iowa Central Community College (about $432 more per year; $8,220.00 vs. $7,788.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa Central Community College than at Kirkwood Community College (93% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kirkwood Community College students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Iowa Central Community College students ($6,511 vs. $5,934).

Iowa Central Community College vs. Kirkwood Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa Central Community College or Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood Community College and Iowa Central Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa Central Community College - Open admission; Kirkwood Community College - Open admission.

Iowa Central Community College vs. Kirkwood Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa Central Community College and Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood Community College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Iowa Central Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,600 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa Central Community College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Kirkwood Community College graduates ($11,000 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa Central Community College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kirkwood Community College graduates ($113 vs. $124).
• More Kirkwood Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa Central Community College students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 40%)

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.