West Des Moines, Iowa Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

Colleges in West Des Moines, Iowa: median graduate debt $8,461 (-36.2% vs U.S.) 244 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 2 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 244 students
  • Median net price: $18,552 (+86.1% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $8,461 (-36.2% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $16,750

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Overview

Colleges and universities in West Des Moines serve students across Iowa with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 2 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 244 students enrolled in federal data. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against West Des Moines, Iowa and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

West Des Moines vs Iowa & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
West Des Moines, IowaN/A$18,552$8,461N/A244
Iowa (state median)$6,525$11,272$14,74563.0%134,174
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221

Earnings & employment outcomes: West Des Moines, Iowa vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
West Des Moines, IowaN/AN/AN/A——N/AN/A
Iowa (state median)$55,28694.0%75.8%3.7%—82.3%0.44
United States$54,38488.0%76.4%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Iowa (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
West Des Moines, IowaN/A$18,552$8,461N/A244N/AN/A
Ames$10,787$19,561$14,34875.3%25,543$63,38694.9%
Iowa City$11,283$21,734$14,16474.6%22,377$64,76293.9%
Ankeny$13,030$13,726$11,98667.5%10,851$40,65088.3%
Cedar Rapids$40,878$17,643$17,85061.8%10,012$58,95694.9%
Cedar Falls$9,936$15,901$16,09667.9%7,674$55,17795.2%
Davenport$15,600$19,034$9,50070.8%5,824$59,53194.1%
Des Moines$34,762$24,349$18,62265.5%4,986$62,23492.4%
Sioux City$30,566$19,820$15,00050.1%4,668$54,98495.1%
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221$54,38488.0%

Student debt: West Des Moines, Iowa vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in West Des Moines, Iowa is $8,461 (-36.2% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $16,750.

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Median graduate debt is $8,461 (-36.2% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in West Des Moines?

This city profile covers 2 campuses in West Des Moines, Iowa with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in West Des Moines?

Median in-state tuition in West Des Moines is N/A and median net price is $18,552. For Iowa overall, medians are $6,525 and $11,272; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.

What do graduates earn in West Des Moines?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in West Des Moines is N/A vs $55,286 for Iowa and $54,384 nationally.

What is student debt like for West Des Moines colleges?

Median completer debt in West Des Moines is $8,461 vs $14,745 for Iowa and $13,271 nationally.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in West Des Moines?

Among 2 College Scorecard campuses in West Des Moines, Iowa, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.

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