Des Moines, Iowa Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Des Moines, Iowa shows: median public in-state tuition $34,762 (+530.7% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $62,234 (+14.6% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 92.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $18,622 (+38.6% vs U.S.) 4,986 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 5 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 4,986 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $34,762 (+530.7% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $62,234 (+14.6% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 92.4% (+4.5 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $24,349 (+144.3% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $18,622 (+38.6% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $17,500
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 65.5%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 70.2%
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Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Des Moines, Iowa—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Iowa and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Des Moines vs Iowa & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, Iowa | $34,762 | $24,349 | $18,622 | 65.5% | 4,986 |
| Iowa (state median) | $6,525 | $11,272 | $14,745 | 63.1% | 134,174 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: 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.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, Iowa | $62,234 | 92.4% | 70.2% | 5.4% | — | 81.9% | 0.32 |
| Iowa (state median) | $55,286 | 94.0% | 75.8% | 3.7% | — | 82.3% | 0.44 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Iowa (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, Iowa | $34,762 | $24,349 | $18,622 | 65.5% | 4,986 | $62,234 | 92.4% |
| Cedar Rapids | $40,878 | $17,643 | $17,850 | 61.8% | 10,012 | $58,956 | 94.9% |
| Cedar Falls | $9,936 | $15,901 | $16,096 | 67.9% | 7,674 | $55,177 | 95.2% |
| Davenport | $15,600 | $19,034 | $9,500 | 70.8% | 5,824 | $59,531 | 94.1% |
| Sioux City | $30,566 | $19,820 | $15,000 | 50.1% | 4,668 | $54,984 | 95.1% |
| Dubuque | $40,367 | $20,716 | $25,750 | 61.9% | 3,654 | $55,396 | 95.1% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Des Moines, Iowa
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 3 | $62,234 | 92.4% | 70.2% | 5.4% | — | 81.9% |
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 74.0%, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 65.5%, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 54.0%, Grand View University
Grand View University
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 95.2%, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 92.4%, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 92.2%, Grand View University
Grand View University
Top 10 most selective colleges in Des Moines, Iowa (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 63.8%, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 99.1%, Grand View University
Grand View University
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 99.7%, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $80,044, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $66,309, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $64,042, Grand View University
Grand View University
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $97,132, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $73,047, Grand View University
Grand View University
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $71,148, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $58,233, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $53,375, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,582, Grand View University
Grand View University
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $68,149, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $56,719, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,170, Grand View University
Grand View University
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $71,901, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $62,234, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,824, Grand View University
Grand View University
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $181,289, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $169,766, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $144,869, Grand View University
Grand View University
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Des Moines, Iowa (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $21,774, Grand View University
Grand View University
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Rank 2, Net Price, $26,924, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
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Rank 3, Net Price, $29,127, Drake University
Drake University
Top 10 colleges in Des Moines, Iowa by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 84.1%, Drake University
Drake University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 70.2%, Grand View University
Grand View University
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 69.2%, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences
In-state tuition: Des Moines, Iowa vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Des Moines, Iowa median in-state tuition is $34,762, +530.7% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Des Moines, Iowa vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Des Moines, Iowa is $18,622 (+38.6% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $17,500.
Median earnings (10 years out): Des Moines, Iowa vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Des Moines, Iowa center around $62,234 (+14.6% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Des Moines, Iowa vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 92.4% at the median Des Moines, Iowa campus (+4.5 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
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
Des Moines, Iowa median public in-state tuition is $34,762, about +530.7% vs the national median. Versus the Plains region, tuition is +458.4%.
Median graduate debt is $18,622 (+38.6% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Des Moines, Iowa are $62,234, about +14.6% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 92.4% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+4.5 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 70.2% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 5.4% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 81.9% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Drake University (95.2%), Mercy College of Health Sciences (92.4%), Grand View University (92.2%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Des Moines, Iowa, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $62,234 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Des Moines, Iowa is 65.5% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Des Moines?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 5 campuses in Des Moines, Iowa with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Des Moines?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Des Moines is $34,762 and median net price is $24,349. For Iowa overall, medians are $6,525 and $11,272; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Des Moines?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Des Moines is $62,234 vs $55,286 for Iowa and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Des Moines colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Des Moines is $18,622 vs $14,745 for Iowa and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Des Moines?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Drake University (graduation) and Drake University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Des Moines?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 5 campuses in Des Moines, Iowa, 3 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Evangelical Lutheran Church (1), Christian Methodist Episcopal (1), Roman Catholic (1).
Sources & related
- Iowa college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON