Public · Mostly certificates · Large suburb

Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, Iowa. 10,446 undergraduates.

41%Graduation rate30 pts below the national median for similar colleges (71%)
$7,005Average net price per year60% below the national median for similar colleges ($17,716)
$46,331Median earnings 10 years after starting27% above the national median for similar colleges ($36,576)
$11,000Median debt at graduation16% above the national median for similar colleges ($9,500)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($11,000) equals 24% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($46,331). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$5,136
$30,000–$48,000$5,316
$48,001–$75,000$5,903
$75,001–$110,000$7,295
Over $110,000$11,627

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $6,030 in-state, $6,930 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate41%71%
Return for second year63%77%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$44,290$33,491
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$46,331$36,576
Median debt at graduation$11,000$9,500

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly certificates).

Programs and what graduates earn

96 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians16$50,207$70,078—
Precision Metal Working20$65,355$68,230—
Computer Programming62$67,290—$15,863
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing181$67,790$66,958$19,379
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians77$55,522$66,861$8,750
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)17—$65,356—
Legal Support Services22$46,625$65,167—
Computer Software and Media Applications8—$64,569—
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions23$60,015$64,129$14,250
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions23$56,952$63,844$15,562
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management24$62,078—$12,000
Accounting and Related Services64$44,735$58,742$14,918
Agricultural Business and Management43$47,636$55,855$8,451
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science24$54,692—$13,625
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions9$53,561——
Criminal Justice and Corrections61$46,515$53,003$8,391
Business Administration, Management and Operations109$40,909$48,767$11,000
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities770$34,223$48,591$11,000
Culinary Arts and Related Services22$37,050$46,367—
Community Organization and Advocacy23$33,394$45,163$23,433
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians13$43,281$38,517—
Design and Applied Arts45$36,845$37,334$11,000
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services14$35,520$33,576—
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services9———
Communication and Media Studies5———
Journalism1———
Graphic Communications5———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods44———
Engineering, General16———
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians9———
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians5———
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians11———
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians9———
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians4———
English Language and Literature, General13———
Biology, General20———
Mathematics5———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness15———
Chemistry4———
Physics3———
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians1———
Psychology, General53——$11,405
Fire Protection9———
Human Services, General5———
Political Science and Government4———
Sociology3———
Carpenters14———
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians8———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft0——$11,283
Film/Video and Photographic Arts13———
Health and Medical Administrative Services7———
Hospitality Administration/Management4———
Marketing19———
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations10———
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations6———
History2———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Des Moines Area Community College cost per year?
The average net price at Des Moines Area Community College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $7,005 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Des Moines Area Community College graduates earn?
Former Des Moines Area Community College students earn a median of $46,331 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Des Moines Area Community College?
41% of Des Moines Area Community College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Des Moines Area Community College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Des Moines Area Community College is $11,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.