Head-to-head · 2026
Kirkwood Community College vs Marshalltown Community College
Compare average net price ($9,705 at Kirkwood Community College; $8,059 at Marshalltown Community College), ROI score (10.57 vs 12.72), ten-year median earnings ($41,016 vs $41,010), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Kirkwood Community College; Open / not reported at Marshalltown Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Marshalltown Community College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Marshalltown 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 | Kirkwood Community College | Marshalltown Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 10.57 | 12.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,705 | $8,059 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $41,016 ✓ | $41,010 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 43% ✓ | 42.3% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $9,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 7,591 | 788 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Kirkwood Community College costs $1,646 more per year than Marshalltown Community College ($9,705 vs $8,059). Kirkwood Community College graduates report $6 higher median earnings after ten years ($41,016 vs $41,010). On EduGradify's model that puts Marshalltown Community College ahead on projected ROI (12.72 vs 10.57, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Marshalltown 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
Kirkwood Community College vs Marshalltown Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Kirkwood Community College or Marshalltown Community College the better value?
Marshalltown Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (12.72 vs 10.57), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Marshalltown Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,059 per year vs $9,705 at Kirkwood Community College. The annual difference of $1,646 adds up to about $6,584 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Kirkwood Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $41,016 vs $41,010 at Marshalltown Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $6.
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. Kirkwood Community College reports a B value grade; Marshalltown Community College reports A.