Head-to-head · 2026
Iowa Lakes Community College vs Kirkwood Community College
Compare average net price ($13,933 at Iowa Lakes Community College; $9,705 at Kirkwood Community College), ROI score (7.73 vs 10.57), ten-year median earnings ($43,108 vs $41,016), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Iowa Lakes Community College; Open / not reported at Kirkwood Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The metric count is evenly split at 2-2. Kirkwood 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 Lakes Community College | Kirkwood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 7.73 | 10.57 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,933 | $9,705 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $43,108 ✓ | $41,016 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 50% ✓ | 43% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Enrollment | 941 | 7,591 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Iowa Lakes Community College costs $4,228 more per year than Kirkwood Community College ($13,933 vs $9,705). Iowa Lakes Community College graduates report $2,092 higher median earnings after ten years ($43,108 vs $41,016). On EduGradify's model that puts Kirkwood Community College ahead on projected ROI (10.57 vs 7.73, 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
Iowa Lakes Community College vs Kirkwood Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Iowa Lakes Community College or Kirkwood Community College the better value?
Kirkwood Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (10.57 vs 7.73), 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 $13,933 at Iowa Lakes Community College. The annual difference of $4,228 adds up to about $16,912 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Iowa Lakes Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $43,108 vs $41,016 at Kirkwood Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $2,092.
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 Lakes Community College reports a B value grade; Kirkwood Community College reports B.