Iowa Western Community College vs. Metropolitan Community College Area

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA with Metropolitan Community College Area in Omaha, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan Community College Area is larger than Iowa Western Community College based on total student enrollment (16,642 students vs. 5,540 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa Western Community College is located in Council Bluffs, IA (Small City setting); Metropolitan Community College Area is in Omaha, NE (Large City setting).
• Iowa Western Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Metropolitan Community College Area is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa Western Community College 22:1; Metropolitan Community College Area 20:1.

Iowa Western Community College vs. Metropolitan Community College Area Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa Western Community College or Metropolitan Community College Area? 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 Metropolitan Community College Area than Iowa Western Community College ($5,664 vs. $13,852).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa Western Community College are 18.4% lower than at Metropolitan Community College Area ($8,750 vs. $10,719).
• Iowa Western Community College is 105.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan Community College Area (about $3,555 more per year; $6,930.00 vs. $3,375.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43% higher at Iowa Western Community College than at Metropolitan Community College Area (about $2,130 more per year; $7,080.00 vs. $4,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan Community College Area than at Iowa Western Community College (74% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa Western Community College students is 30.1% larger than aid received by Metropolitan Community College Area students ($6,524 vs. $5,016).

Iowa Western Community College vs. Metropolitan Community College Area Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa Western Community College or Metropolitan Community College Area? 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 Metropolitan Community College Area and Iowa Western Community College.

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

Iowa Western Community College vs. Metropolitan Community College Area Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa Western Community College and Metropolitan Community College Area? 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 Western Community College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Metropolitan Community College Area graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,200 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan Community College Area graduates have a $4,013 lower median loan debt than Iowa Western Community College graduates ($7,987 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan Community College Area graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa Western Community College graduates ($82 vs. $124).
• More Iowa Western Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan Community College Area students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 39%)

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.