Head-to-head · 2026
Grinnell College vs Kirkwood Community College
Compare average net price ($17,648 at Grinnell College; $9,705 at Kirkwood Community College), ROI score (8.90 vs 10.57), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($62,830 vs $41,016), and admissions context (14.5% at Grinnell College; Open / not reported at Kirkwood Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Grinnell College | Kirkwood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.90 | 10.57 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $17,648 | $9,705 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $70,592 | $38,820 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $68,106 | $6,176 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $68,106 | $8,220 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $62,830 ✓ | $41,016 |
| Acceptance rate | 14.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 88.1% ✓ | 43% |
| Retention rate | 92.6% ✓ | 71.1% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,729 | 7,591 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1486 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Grinnell College | Kirkwood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,970 | $6,967 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,789 | $7,084 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,669 | $9,514 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,348 | $12,106 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $37,725 | $14,091 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Grinnell College | Kirkwood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 7.2% | 0% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Kirkwood Community College reports the lower average net price by $7,943 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $31,772 difference over four years ($38,820 vs $70,592).
Grinnell College reports $21,814 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,830 vs $41,016). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 92.6% at Grinnell College and 71.1% at Kirkwood Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $17,500 vs $12,000, respectively.
1 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Grinnell College vs Kirkwood Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Kirkwood Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,705 per year vs $17,648 at Grinnell College. The annual difference of $7,943 adds up to about $31,772 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Grinnell College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $62,830 vs $41,016 at Kirkwood Community College. The gap in the federal data is $21,814. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.