Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Colleges / IA / Ankeny
Des Moines Area Community College logo

Des Moines Area Community College

Public Ankeny, IA · Suburban · Plains · 87% data reported · Agent Insights
37%
Graduation Rate
$41,018
Earnings (10yr)
$11,171
Net Price
10,446
Enrollment

Find Your Program

Match With an Accredited Program Accepting Applicants

Explore accredited programs — fast, free, no obligation.

✓ Accredited programs ✓ 100% free ✓ No obligation

Overview

Over 10,000 students choose Des Moines Area Community College each year, making it a significant hub for educational advancement in Iowa. With a focus on practical skills and workforce readiness, the college emphasizes programs in Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Business & Marketing.

Graduates from Des Moines Area Community College earn an average of $41,018 within ten years of completing their studies. While the graduation rate stands at 37%, the college serves a diverse student population, including those from lower-income backgrounds, as evidenced by the 16% Pell Grant rate. The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data highlights that while specific mobility rates are not available, community colleges typically play a critical role in helping students improve their economic standing.

Students can expect a net price of $11,171, with a median debt of $11,000 after graduation. This financial structure makes it accessible for many. Those who thrive here are often focused on gaining practical skills for immediate employment or transferring to four-year institutions. The college attracts individuals seeking a cost-effective route to a stable career or further education.

Rankings

How Des Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation37%Earnings 10yr$41KNet Price$11KRetention63%Median Debt$11KPell Grant Rate16%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$9K$0-30K$9K$30-48K$11K$48-75K$16K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%846.5%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%900.5%MOBILITY76.23%

Cost & Financial Aid

$5,790
In-State Tuition
$6,690
Out-of-State
$11,171
Avg Net Price
$11,000
Median Debt
16%
Pell Grant Rate
11%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$9,132
Family Income $0–$30K
$9,175
Family Income $30K–$48K
$11,130
Family Income $48K–$75K
$15,534
Family Income $110K+

Graduate Outcomes

$39,349
6 Years After Entry
$40,035
8 Years
$41,018
10 Years
0.27x
Debt-to-Earnings
57%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$39,349 6yr $40,035 8yr $41,018 10yr

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

76.23%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
900.5%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
846.5%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$72,600
Parent Median Income

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

1.25
Economic Connectedness
Cross-class friendships
0.07
Friending Bias
Lower = more inclusive
7.3%
Volunteering Rate
0.96
Support Ratio
Community support

Innovation

Data: Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data

0.110%
Inventor Rate
20
Total Patents
27
Total Citations

Academics & Admissions

Retention Rate 63%
Full-Time Faculty 99%
Faculty Salary (mo) $8,193
Diversity Index 0.54
First-Gen Students 37%

Top Programs

Health Professions 41%
Humanities 15%
Precision Production 7%
Criminal Justice 7%
Business & Marketing 7%
Computer Science & IT 4%
Mechanic & Repair Tech 3%
Culinary & Personal Services 2%

Quick Facts

Setting Suburban
Region Plains
Accreditor Higher Learning Commission
Predominant Degree Certificate

Student Body

Female
55%
White
66%
Hispanic
12%
Black
10%
Asian
4%

Data Sources

U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard

Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card

Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

Opportunity Insights Patent Data

Our methodology →