Head-to-head · 2026
Hawkeye Community College vs Kirkwood Community College
Compare average net price ($9,649 at Hawkeye Community College; $9,705 at Kirkwood Community College), ROI score (11.10 vs 10.57), ten-year median earnings ($42,849 vs $41,016), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Hawkeye Community College; Open / not reported at Kirkwood Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Hawkeye Community College has a 4-0 metric-level edge. Hawkeye 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 | Hawkeye Community College | Kirkwood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 11.10 ✓ | 10.57 |
| Avg net price | $9,649 ✓ | $9,705 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $42,849 ✓ | $41,016 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 43.3% ✓ | 43% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,626 | 7,591 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 4 | 0 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Kirkwood Community College costs $56 more per year than Hawkeye Community College ($9,705 vs $9,649). Hawkeye Community College graduates report $1,833 higher median earnings after ten years ($42,849 vs $41,016). On EduGradify's model that puts Hawkeye Community College ahead on projected ROI (11.10 vs 10.57, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Hawkeye 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
Hawkeye Community College vs Kirkwood Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Hawkeye Community College or Kirkwood Community College the better value?
Hawkeye Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (11.10 vs 10.57), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Hawkeye Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,649 per year vs $9,705 at Kirkwood Community College. The annual difference of $56 adds up to about $224 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Hawkeye Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $42,849 vs $41,016 at Kirkwood Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $1,833.
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. Hawkeye Community College reports a A value grade; Kirkwood Community College reports B.