Head-to-head · 2026
Iowa Lakes Community College vs Northwest Iowa Community College
Side-by-side ROI breakdown. 1 wins for Iowa Lakes Community College, 4 for Northwest Iowa Community College — Northwest Iowa Community College has more metric-level advantages.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric, winner flagged
9 metrics, side by side. The colored cell wins. Green = lower-is-better wins, indigo = higher-is-better wins.
| Metric | Iowa Lakes Community College | Northwest Iowa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 7.73 | 8.58 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,933 ✓ | $14,800 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $43,108 | $50,776 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 50% | 57.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $9,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 941 | 864 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Wins | 1 | 4 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Northwest Iowa Community College costs $867 more per year than Iowa Lakes Community College ($14,800 vs $13,933). Northwest Iowa Community College graduates report $7,668 higher median earnings after ten years ($50,776 vs $43,108). On EduGradify's model that puts Northwest Iowa Community College ahead on projected ROI (8.58 vs 7.73, exceptional investment).
The pricier option (Northwest Iowa Community College) still wins on return, because stronger graduate salaries outweigh its higher net price. 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 Northwest Iowa Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Iowa Lakes Community College or Northwest Iowa Community College the better value?
Northwest Iowa Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (8.58 vs 7.73), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Iowa Lakes Community College is cheaper — average net price $13,933 per year vs $14,800 at Northwest Iowa Community College. The annual difference of $867 adds up to about $3,468 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northwest Iowa Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $50,776 vs $43,108 at Iowa Lakes Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $7,668.
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; Northwest Iowa Community College reports B.