Head-to-head · 2026
Iowa State University vs Northeast Iowa Community College
Compare average net price ($18,589 at Iowa State University; $11,272 at Northeast Iowa Community College), ROI score (8.52 vs 9.16), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($63,386 vs $41,306), and admissions context (88.7% at Iowa State University; Open / not reported at Northeast Iowa 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 | Northeast Iowa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.52 | 9.16 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $18,589 | $11,272 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $74,356 | $45,088 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,787 | $6,780 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,881 | $7,770 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $63,386 ✓ | $41,306 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% ✓ | 51.4% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% ✓ | 61.8% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 25,367 | 1,697 |
| 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 | Northeast Iowa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,582 | $9,137 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,506 | $8,176 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,463 | $12,225 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,605 | $15,390 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,496 | $16,353 ✓ |
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 | Northeast Iowa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.8% | 18.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 0.1% | 15.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.2% | 4.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.1% | 5% |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 0.5% | 4.3% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 1.2% | 3.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.1% | 2.2% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 2.8% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northeast Iowa Community College reports the lower average net price by $7,317 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $29,268 difference over four years ($45,088 vs $74,356).
Iowa State University reports $22,080 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,386 vs $41,306). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 87.6% at Iowa State University and 61.8% at Northeast Iowa Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $22,869 vs $12,000, 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 Northeast Iowa Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northeast Iowa Community College is cheaper — average net price $11,272 per year vs $18,589 at Iowa State University. The annual difference of $7,317 adds up to about $29,268 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Iowa State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,386 vs $41,306 at Northeast Iowa Community College. The gap in the federal data is $22,080. 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.