Head-to-head · 2026
Ellsworth Community College vs Kirkwood Community College
Compare average net price ($11,451 at Ellsworth Community College; $9,705 at Kirkwood Community College), ROI score (8.86 vs 10.57), ten-year median earnings ($40,562 vs $41,016), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Ellsworth Community College; Open / not reported at Kirkwood Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Kirkwood Community College has a 4-1 metric-level edge. Kirkwood Community College has the stronger ROI signal here, though the final choice should still account for aid, major and campus fit.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Ellsworth Community College | Kirkwood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 8.86 | 10.57 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,451 | $9,705 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $40,562 | $41,016 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 37.5% | 43% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,000 ✓ | $12,000 |
| Enrollment | 499 | 7,591 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 4 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Ellsworth Community College costs $1,746 more per year than Kirkwood Community College ($11,451 vs $9,705). Kirkwood Community College graduates report $454 higher median earnings after ten years ($41,016 vs $40,562). On EduGradify's model that puts Kirkwood Community College ahead on projected ROI (10.57 vs 8.86, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Kirkwood Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Ellsworth Community College vs Kirkwood Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Ellsworth Community College or Kirkwood Community College the better value?
Kirkwood Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (10.57 vs 8.86), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Kirkwood Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,705 per year vs $11,451 at Ellsworth Community College. The annual difference of $1,746 adds up to about $6,984 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Kirkwood Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $41,016 vs $40,562 at Ellsworth Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $454.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Ellsworth Community College reports a B value grade; Kirkwood Community College reports B.