North Iowa Area Community College
#6 Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa- Graduation Rate
- 58% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,462 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $10,010 B
- 42% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,320
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.2 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Most Affordable Colleges in Iowa.
Every $1 spent returns $24.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $928,520.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $24.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why North Iowa Area Community College Matters
North Iowa Area Community College is a public college in Mason City, IA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,320
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Precision Production
Why students choose North Iowa Area Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,010 a year after grants and scholarships — 42% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,462 ten years after enrolling — 7% above the typical college, against $9,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 70% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.38 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
North Iowa Area Community College has a graduation rate of 58%, a solid figure for community colleges, indicating that over half of students earn their degrees within a reasonable time frame. This statistic reflects the college’s commitment to supporting student success and completion.
According to Opportunity Insights data, North Iowa Area Community College plays a crucial role in economic mobility for its graduates. While specific mobility rates are not available, the average earnings for alumni ten years after graduation stand at $43,462. This figure suggests that many students can improve their financial situations through education and training received at this institution.
The cost of attending North Iowa Area Community College is manageable, with a net price of $10,010 and a median debt of $9,500 for graduates. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Humanities, Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, and Mechanic & Repair Tech. With a diverse range of programs and an accessible price point, this college attracts those looking to gain practical skills and enter the workforce efficiently.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective North Iowa Area Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Iowa Area Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
North Iowa Area Community College, located in Mason City, Iowa, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,565
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Iowa Area Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Iowa Area Community College is $9,551, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,010. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,471 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,653
- Out-of-State
- $9,551
- Avg Net Price
- $10,010
- Median Debt
- $9,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 20%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,471
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,723
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,644
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,705
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at North Iowa Area Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is North Iowa Area Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Iowa Area Community College report median earnings of $43,462, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,491
- 8 Years
- $39,783
- 10 Years
- $43,462
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.22x
- Earning > $25K
- 57%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (284)
- 46%
- 100% (284)
- 46%
- 100% (284)
- 46%
- 100% (284)
- 46%
How North Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is North Iowa Area Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, North Iowa Area Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,010/year ($40,040 total). Graduates earn $43,462 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $968,560 in total earnings — a net gain of $928,520 (24.2× your investment). The median debt is $9,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 58% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $40,040
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $968,560
- Net Return
- $928,520
- ROI Multiple
- 24.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,010
- Median Debt
- $9,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does North Iowa Area Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
North Iowa Area Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.11%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $62,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.11%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $84,372
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,706,544
- Investment Income
- $131,273
Top Programs
The fields North Iowa Area Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 29%
- Health Professions 24% $68,909 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 15% $42,992 early-career
- Precision Production 9% $50,714 early-career
- Education 8%
- Business & Marketing 4%
- Construction Trades 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for North Iowa Area Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Iowa Area Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
North Iowa Area Community College, located in Mason City, Iowa, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Iowa Area Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Iowa Area Community College is $9,551, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,010. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,471 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,500 in federal student loans.
Is North Iowa Area Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Iowa Area Community College report median earnings of $43,462, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does North Iowa Area Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
North Iowa Area Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.11%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $62,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is North Iowa Area Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at North Iowa Area Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.38, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to North Iowa Area Community College.
- Southwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeFennimore, WI · Close peer60% grad $43,470 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Minnesota State College SoutheastWinona, MN · Close peer49% grad $43,613 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Arkansas State University-NewportNewport, AR · Close peer44% grad $41,524 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Garden City Community CollegeGarden City, KS · Close peer46% grad $41,704 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Minnesota West Community and Technical CollegeGranite Falls, MN · Close peer49% grad $45,285 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northwood Technical CollegeRice Lake, WI · Close peer54% grad $43,406 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is North Iowa Area Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at North Iowa Area Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.38, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note