Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
Des Moines Area Community College logo

Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, IA·Public·10,406 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for families looking for lower cost and in-state Iowa residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 10,406 students.

N/A
Accept
10,406
Students
$11,050
Net Price
N/A
Grad Rate
$36,800
Earnings
10 yr
$6,500
Debt

About This School

Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution located in Ankeny, Iowa with approximately 10,406 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $11,050 per year. Typical graduates earn $36,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is a public community college in central Iowa. The college served 34,206 credit students and 21,164 noncredit students in 2024.

This is a strong option for Iowa students who want to keep costs down — median debt at graduation is just $6,500, which is remarkably low and leaves graduates with real financial flexibility. The trade-off is that median earnings 10 years out land at $36,800, so it's worth being clear-eyed about career path and whether you plan to transfer to a four-year school to increase your long-term earning potential. Worth considering if you're looking for an affordable starting point or a focused two-year credential, less so if you're expecting a direct path to a high-salary career.

Founded
1966
Setting
Large suburb

Popular Programs

Health Professions36%
Business & Marketing6%
Computer Science5%
Visual & Performing Arts2%
Education1%
Psychology1%
Biological Sciences0%
Engineering0%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Jason MomoaLolo Jones

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$5,550
Out-of-State Tuition
$11,100
Avg Net Price
$11,050
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants16%
Median debt at graduation$6,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
N/A
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$36,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$6,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$6,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,100
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$36,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 5.7x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White67%
Black10%
Hispanic/Latino11%
Asian4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (10,406 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Des Moines Area Community College

2006 Ankeny Blvd

Ankeny, IA 50023-3993

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Iowa

Browse all Iowa schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.