Head-to-head · 2026
Iowa Lakes Community College vs Northeast Iowa Community College
Compare average net price ($13,933 at Iowa Lakes Community College; $11,272 at Northeast Iowa Community College), ROI score (7.73 vs 9.16), ten-year median earnings ($43,108 vs $41,306), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Iowa Lakes Community College; Open / not reported at Northeast Iowa Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Northeast Iowa Community College has a 3-1 metric-level edge. Northeast Iowa 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 | Northeast Iowa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 7.73 | 9.16 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,933 | $11,272 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $43,108 ✓ | $41,306 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 50% | 51.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Enrollment | 941 | 1,697 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Iowa Lakes Community College costs $2,661 more per year than Northeast Iowa Community College ($13,933 vs $11,272). Iowa Lakes Community College graduates report $1,802 higher median earnings after ten years ($43,108 vs $41,306). On EduGradify's model that puts Northeast Iowa Community College ahead on projected ROI (9.16 vs 7.73, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Northeast Iowa 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 Northeast Iowa Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Iowa Lakes Community College or Northeast Iowa Community College the better value?
Northeast Iowa Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (9.16 vs 7.73), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northeast Iowa Community College is cheaper — average net price $11,272 per year vs $13,933 at Iowa Lakes Community College. The annual difference of $2,661 adds up to about $10,644 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Iowa Lakes Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $43,108 vs $41,306 at Northeast Iowa Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $1,802.
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; Northeast Iowa Community College reports B.