Head-to-head · 2026
Iowa State University vs Marshalltown Community College
Compare average net price ($18,589 at Iowa State University; $8,059 at Marshalltown Community College), ROI score (8.52 vs 12.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($63,386 vs $41,010), and admissions context (88.7% at Iowa State University; Open / not reported at Marshalltown 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 | Iowa State University | Marshalltown Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.52 | 12.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $18,589 | $8,059 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $74,356 | $32,236 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,787 | $5,496 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,881 | $6,504 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $63,386 ✓ | $41,010 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% ✓ | 42.3% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% ✓ | 68.7% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $9,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 25,367 | 788 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1204 | — |
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 | Iowa State University | Marshalltown Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,582 | $6,393 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,506 | $6,482 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,463 | $7,797 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,605 | $10,546 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,496 | $11,686 ✓ |
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 | Iowa State University | Marshalltown Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.8% | 34.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.2% | 1.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 0.1% | 4.9% |
| Biology, General | 2.7% | 0.5% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.1% | 0.9% |
| Psychology, General | 2.7% | 0.2% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.6% | 0.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.3% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Marshalltown Community College reports the lower average net price by $10,530 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $42,120 difference over four years ($32,236 vs $74,356).
Iowa State University reports $22,376 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,386 vs $41,010). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 87.6% at Iowa State University and 68.7% at Marshalltown Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $22,869 vs $9,500, respectively.
8 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Iowa State University vs Marshalltown Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Marshalltown Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,059 per year vs $18,589 at Iowa State University. The annual difference of $10,530 adds up to about $42,120 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Iowa State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,386 vs $41,010 at Marshalltown Community College. The gap in the federal data is $22,376. 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.