Head-to-head · 2026
Iowa Lakes Community College vs Northwest Iowa Community College
Compare average net price ($13,933 at Iowa Lakes Community College; $14,800 at Northwest Iowa Community College), ROI score (7.73 vs 8.58), ten-year median earnings ($43,108 vs $50,776), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Iowa Lakes Community College; Open / not reported at Northwest Iowa Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Northwest Iowa Community College has a 4-1 metric-level edge. Northwest 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 | 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 | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 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.