Head-to-head · 2026
Iowa Central Community College vs Iowa Lakes Community College
Compare average net price ($9,328 at Iowa Central Community College; $13,933 at Iowa Lakes Community College), ROI score (11.27 vs 7.73), ten-year median earnings ($42,046 vs $43,108), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Iowa Central Community College; Open / not reported at Iowa Lakes Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Iowa Central Community College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Iowa Central Community College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
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 | Iowa Central Community College | Iowa Lakes Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 11.27 ✓ | 7.73 |
| Avg net price | $9,328 ✓ | $13,933 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $42,046 | $43,108 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 41.6% | 50% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,000 ✓ | $12,000 |
| Enrollment | 3,103 | 941 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Iowa Lakes Community College costs $4,605 more per year than Iowa Central Community College ($13,933 vs $9,328). Iowa Lakes Community College graduates report $1,062 higher median earnings after ten years ($43,108 vs $42,046). On EduGradify's model that puts Iowa Central Community College ahead on projected ROI (11.27 vs 7.73, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Iowa Central 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
Iowa Central Community College vs Iowa Lakes Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Iowa Central Community College or Iowa Lakes Community College the better value?
Iowa Central Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (11.27 vs 7.73), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Iowa Central Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,328 per year vs $13,933 at Iowa Lakes Community College. The annual difference of $4,605 adds up to about $18,420 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Iowa Lakes Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $43,108 vs $42,046 at Iowa Central Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $1,062.
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. Iowa Central Community College reports a A value grade; Iowa Lakes Community College reports B.