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Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA 10,446 Undergrads 28.0% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$16,204
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$11,171
After Aid
Median Earnings
$51,817
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$11,171
Peer Midpoint: $17,333.5
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$51,817
Peer Midpoint: $34,461
Graduation Rate28.0%
Peer Midpoint: 68.7%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients35.6%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time48.9%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS65.4%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
100.0%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$596k
+$204k
+$111k
Median Cost$11k/yr
+$585k
+$194k
+$101k
Full Cost$16k/yr
+$581k
+$189k
+$96k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
22
∞
Median Cost$11k/yr
24
975%
Full Cost$16k/yr
24
641%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return1341%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return255%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis
Certificates
Accounting and Related Services
CertCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,589
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Agricultural Business and Management
CertCIP: 0101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,930
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
CertCIP: 5108
Median Debt
$10,265
Earnings (4yr)
$41,607
Natl Median: $34,272
Lifetime Value Added
-$9k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
CertCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$7,500
Earnings (4yr)
$65,586
Natl Median: $57,584
Lifetime Value Added
+$242k
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
CertCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $32,681
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Carpenters
CertCIP: 4602
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,349
Natl Median: $41,835
Lifetime Value Added
+$86k
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,028
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$34,377
Natl Median: $38,675
Lifetime Value Added
-$95k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
CertCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
CertCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,400
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,702
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Culinary Arts and Related Services
CertCIP: 1205
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $30,572
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5106
Median Debt
$5,500
Earnings (4yr)
$43,642
Natl Median: $33,673
Lifetime Value Added
+$13k
Design and Applied Arts
CertCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$31,656
Natl Median: $36,116
Lifetime Value Added
-$125k
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
CertCIP: 5131
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,391
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
CertCIP: 4603
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,027
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,202
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,447
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
CertCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,211
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1505
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,268
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
CertCIP: 1203
Median Debt
$9,500
Earnings (4yr)
$67,653
Natl Median: $47,296
Lifetime Value Added
+$263k
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
CertCIP: 5218
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,001
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Graphic Communications
CertCIP: 1003
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$41,575
Natl Median: $32,130
Lifetime Value Added
-$18k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
CertCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,259
Natl Median: $35,447
Lifetime Value Added
+$63k
Homeland Security
CertCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$74,269
Natl Median: $62,995
Lifetime Value Added
+$327k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
CertCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,135
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Legal Support Services
CertCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,747
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
CertCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,757
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
CertCIP: 5139
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$40,673
Natl Median: $56,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$19k
Precision Metal Working
CertCIP: 4805
Median Debt
$5,500
Earnings (4yr)
$52,238
Natl Median: $48,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$106k
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
CertCIP: 5219
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,127
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Associate's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
AssocCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$16,625
Earnings (4yr)
$62,072
Natl Median: $47,660
Lifetime Value Added
+$143k
Agricultural Business and Management
AssocCIP: 0101
Median Debt
$8,684
Earnings (4yr)
$55,546
Natl Median: $47,825
Lifetime Value Added
+$81k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
AssocCIP: 5109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,330
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$164k
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
AssocCIP: 0106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,283
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biotechnology
AssocCIP: 2612
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,595
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$10,434
Earnings (4yr)
$60,716
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
+$131k
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
AssocCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,587
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$49,644
Natl Median: $64,519
Lifetime Value Added
+$44k
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5110
Median Debt
$14,500
Earnings (4yr)
$56,204
Natl Median: $57,472
Lifetime Value Added
+$88k
Community Organization and Advocacy
AssocCIP: 4402
Median Debt
$20,503
Earnings (4yr)
$49,886
Natl Median: $44,066
Lifetime Value Added
+$26k
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
AssocCIP: 1199
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,895
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
+$169k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
AssocCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$53,936
Natl Median: $54,246
Lifetime Value Added
+$66k
Computer Software and Media Applications
AssocCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,737
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
AssocCIP: 1110
Median Debt
$10,167
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,726
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
AssocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$9,750
Earnings (4yr)
$50,877
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
+$36k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1205
Median Debt
$8,334
Earnings (4yr)
$40,878
Natl Median: $39,605
Lifetime Value Added
-$63k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$62,269
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$145k
Design and Applied Arts
AssocCIP: 5004
Median Debt
$13,000
Earnings (4yr)
$36,996
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
-$103k
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$59,996
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
+$124k
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,792
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$69,193
Natl Median: $63,241
Lifetime Value Added
+$196k
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,046
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1517
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,276
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,570
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fire Protection
AssocCIP: 4302
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,589
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
AssocCIP: 1203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,962
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
AssocCIP: 5218
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,500
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
AssocCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$27,706
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$203k
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
AssocCIP: 4702
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,236
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Homeland Security
AssocCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,829
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management
AssocCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,099
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$35,773
Natl Median: $34,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$115k
Legal Support Services
AssocCIP: 2203
Median Debt
$8,175
Earnings (4yr)
$56,924
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
+$95k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$9,500
Earnings (4yr)
$45,505
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
-$17k
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
AssocCIP: 1601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,796
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
AssocCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$52,544
Natl Median: $44,264
Lifetime Value Added
+$42k
Precision Metal Working
AssocCIP: 4805
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$75,145
Natl Median: $56,451
Lifetime Value Added
+$262k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
AssocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$15,075
Earnings (4yr)
$68,315
Natl Median: $80,813
Lifetime Value Added
+$200k
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
AssocCIP: 5219
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,002
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
AssocCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,162
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$8,770
Earnings (4yr)
$63,673
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
+$158k
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 0183
Median Debt
$9,834
Earnings (4yr)
$37,055
Natl Median: $41,460
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.