Iowa Central Community College vs. North Iowa Area Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa Central Community College is larger than North Iowa Area Community College based on total student enrollment (4,949 students vs. 2,662 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa Central Community College is located in Fort Dodge, IA (Remote Town setting); North Iowa Area Community College is in Mason City, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Iowa Central 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: Iowa Central Community College 19:1; North Iowa Area Community College 23:1.

Iowa Central Community College vs. North Iowa Area Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa Central Community College 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 Iowa Central Community College ($9,852 vs. $9,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Iowa Area Community College are 7.6% lower than at Iowa Central Community College ($8,000 vs. $8,655).
• North Iowa Area Community College is 21.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa Central Community College (about $1,157 more per year; $6,653.00 vs. $5,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at North Iowa Area Community College than at Iowa Central Community College (about $1,763 more per year; $9,551.00 vs. $7,788.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa Central Community College than at North Iowa Area Community College (93% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Iowa Area Community College students is 18.3% larger than aid received by Iowa Central Community College students ($7,017 vs. $5,934).

Iowa Central Community College vs. North Iowa Area Community College Admissions comparison

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

Iowa Central Community College vs. North Iowa Area Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa Central Community College 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 Iowa Central Community College earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than North Iowa Area Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,500 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Iowa Area Community College graduates have a $2,485 lower median loan debt than Iowa Central Community College graduates ($8,515 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, North Iowa Area Community College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa Central Community College graduates ($88 vs. $113).
• More North Iowa Area Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa Central Community College students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.