Hawkeye Community College vs Kirkwood Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -144% | +148% |
| 10-year net gain | $-34,051 | $35,117 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $43,962 | $50,890 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $40,873 | $41,984 |
| Average net price | $9,649 | $9,705 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Break-even | — | 4 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | — |
| Admission rate | — | — |
Hawkeye Community College
Poor return
$-34,051 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Kirkwood Community College
Strong return
+$35,117 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.