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Iowa Central Community College vs Emmaus Bible College: which has better ROI?

Public, Fort Dodge IA · vs · Private nonprofit, Dubuque IA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Iowa Central Community College comes closer — median earnings $42,046 against a $18,656 total, vs $42,631 at Emmaus Bible College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureIowa Central Community CollegeEmmaus Bible College
Net price / yr$9,328$13,186
Total net cost$18,656$52,744
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,046$42,631
Median debt$11,000$15,750
Payback
20-year net return-$144,936-$167,324

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Iowa Central Community College or Emmaus Bible College?

Iowa Central Community College, at $9,328 a year after aid versus $13,186 — a gap of $3,858 a year, or $34,088 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Iowa Central Community College or Emmaus Bible College graduates earn more?

Emmaus Bible College graduates report a median $42,631 ten years after entry, $585 more than the $42,046 at Iowa Central Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Iowa Central Community College or Emmaus Bible College?

Iowa Central Community College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $15,750 at Emmaus Bible College, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

83% of students finish at Emmaus Bible College, against 42% at Iowa Central Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Iowa Central Community College vs Emmaus Bible College: frequently asked questions

Is Iowa Central Community College or Emmaus Bible College a better value?
Iowa Central Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Iowa Central Community College or Emmaus Bible College?
Iowa Central Community College: $9,328/yr net price after aid versus $13,186/yr at Emmaus Bible College — a difference of $3,858 a year, or about $34,088 over four years.
Do Iowa Central Community College or Emmaus Bible College graduates earn more?
Emmaus Bible College graduates earn a median $42,631 ten years after entry, versus $42,046 at Iowa Central Community College — a $585 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.