At $9,388/yr net price, Kirkwood Community College graduates earn $41,016/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,016/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,388 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $37,552 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,016/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,016/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 40.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,322/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,831/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,806/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,463/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,234/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $51,054 | $15,750 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $48,041 | $15,983 |
| Agricultural Mechanization. | Associate | $46,087 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $46,087 | |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $45,500 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $44,356 | $12,585 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $43,319 | $15,788 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $42,123 | $14,112 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $41,342 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $39,369 | $10,000 |
The Risk Factor
40.5% of students at Kirkwood Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Kirkwood Community College gives you a low-cost path with modest but real returns, as long as you pick the right program. Median debt sits at $12,000, and you graduate owing less than a single year of typical earnings. The catch is the 40.5% graduation rate: six in ten students leave without finishing, and that's the biggest financial risk here. Debt with no credential is the worst outcome, and it happens to most people who enroll.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner, paying over $51,000 and covering its slightly higher $15,750 debt load quickly. The engineering and industrial technology programs , electromechanical instrumentation, drafting, electrical and agricultural mechanization , all cluster in the mid-$40,000s and fit the manufacturing and ag economy around Cedar Rapids. These are hands-on associate credentials that lead directly to regional jobs, which is exactly what a two-year college should do. Pick one of these and the math works.
The problem is the gap between those programs and the school-wide median of $41,016. If you enroll in a general or transfer track and stop at the associate level, your earnings land well below the top programs while you still pay the same net price. This school pays off when you train for a specific trade, not when you drift.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families: under $30k you pay about $6,322, while families over $110k pay roughly double that. If your family earns under $48k, the price is genuinely affordable and the downside is small. Kirkwood fits you if you want a nursing or technical credential and plan to work in eastern Iowa. Look elsewhere if you're unsure of your major, since the low sticker price only helps if you finish and finish in the right field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kirkwood Community College worth the money?
Kirkwood offers strong value with a low net price of $9,388 per year and typical debt of just $12,000. However, the 40% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which reduces the return on investment.
What are the highest paying programs at Kirkwood Community College?
Nursing programs lead earnings at around $51,000 annually, followed by electromechanical instrumentation and agricultural mechanization at roughly $46,000-$48,000. These technical programs offer the best financial returns at Kirkwood.
How much debt do Kirkwood Community College graduates have?
Kirkwood graduates typically carry $12,000 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps make the investment worthwhile even with modest post-graduation earnings of $41,000.
Do Kirkwood Community College graduates get good jobs?
Graduates earn a median of $41,016 ten years after starting, which is reasonable for a community college but varies significantly by program. Technical fields like nursing and electromechanical work pay much better than the overall average.