Saint Ambrose University vs Northwest Iowa Community College: which has better ROI?
Saint Ambrose University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,764 in 8.8 years versus 12.3 years at Northwest Iowa Community College, on median earnings of $59,531 vs $50,776 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Ambrose University | Northwest Iowa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,691 | $14,800 |
| Total net cost | $98,764 | $29,600 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,531 | $50,776 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 8.8 yrs | 12.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $124,656 | $18,720 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Ambrose University or Northwest Iowa Community College?
Northwest Iowa Community College, at $14,800 a year after aid versus $24,691 — a gap of $9,891 a year, or $69,164 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Ambrose University or Northwest Iowa Community College graduates earn more?
Saint Ambrose University graduates report a median $59,531 ten years after entry, $8,755 more than the $50,776 at Northwest Iowa 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, Saint Ambrose University or Northwest Iowa Community College?
Northwest Iowa Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Saint Ambrose University, a difference of $15,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at Saint Ambrose University, against 58% at Northwest Iowa 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.