Skip to content

Council Bluffs, IA · Private University

Is Iowa Western Community College Worth It?

ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data

Strong ROIRanked #298 of 3,472 schools by ROI

Key Numbers

10-Year Earnings

$42,793

median, 10 years after enrollment

In-State Tuition

$6,780

per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$6,930

per year

Total 4-Year Cost

$27,720

tuition only (4 years)

ROI Ratio

6.17x

earnings ÷ annual tuition

Payback Period

3.6 yrs

years to recoup total cost

Median Debt

$11,033

at graduation

Avg Net Price

$11,574

after aid & scholarships

Earnings vs. Annual Cost

10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition

Median Earnings (10yr)$42,793
Annual Tuition$6,930
National Median Earnings$45,000

Iowa Western Community College graduates earn $2,207 less than the national median of workers with any education level.

What You'd Actually Pay

Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income

Under $30,000$10,053/yr
$30,000 – $48,000$10,574/yr
$48,000 – $75,000$12,138/yr
$75,000 – $110,000$13,513/yr
Over $110,000$14,113/yr

Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.

The Bottom Line

Iowa Western Community College stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $42,793 10 years after starting, $2,207 below the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.6 years, faster than most colleges.

Ready to apply to Iowa Western Community College?

See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.