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Is North Iowa Area Community College worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for North Iowa Area Community, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
North Iowa Area Community lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $9,500 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $43,462, but the margin is not huge. For context, North Iowa Area Community's net price is about 7% above the typical 2-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 791 similar 2-year, public schools
This school
$8,091
/yrAverage school like this
$7,555
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $536 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $2,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$10,010
Median earnings 10 years out
$43,462
Median debt at graduation
$9,500
Graduation rate
58%
At North Iowa Area Community, a typical graduate carries about $9,500 in student debt and earns roughly $43,462 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $108 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
North Iowa Area Community is a two year school in Mason City, IA. For many families, the real question is not just sticker price but what this path unlocks next, whether that is direct employment, transfer, or a lower cost route into a four year degree.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
2-year
Southwestern Community
Creston, IA
Worth-It Score: 68/100
Median net price: $9,871
2-year
Kirkwood Community
Cedar Rapids, IA
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $9,705
2-year
Hawkeye Community
Waterloo, IA
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $9,649
2-year
Indian Hills Community
Ottumwa, IA
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $10,693
2-year
Iowa Central Community
Fort Dodge, IA
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $9,328
Common questions about North Iowa Area Community
The median net price at North Iowa Area Community is $10,010 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at community colleges options in Iowa? See the most affordable community colleges in Iowa →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →