Iowa State University 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.
| Iowa State University Ames, IA | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +102% | +148% |
| 10-year net gain | $83,890 | $35,117 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $61,658 | $50,890 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $48,849 | $41,984 |
| Average net price | $18,589 | $9,705 |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $12,000 |
| Break-even | 5 yrs | 4 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 75% | — |
| Admission rate | 89% | — |
Iowa State University
Strong return
+$83,890 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
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.