Des Moines Area Community College vs Kirkwood Community College
ADN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.
At a glance
Side-by-side details
Best value in each row is highlighted.
| Des Moines Area Community College Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Kirkwood Community College Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | |
|---|---|---|
| Program type | ADN | ADN |
| Format | in person | in person |
| Location | Ankeny, IA | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| Length | 24 months | 24 months |
| NCLEX pass rate | 96.4% | 97.8%BEST |
| Acceptance rate | — | — |
| Avg accepted GPA | — | — |
| Min GPA | — | — |
| Entrance exam | — | — |
| Total tuition | $5,550 in / $11,100 outBEST | $5,980 in / $7,968 out |
| In-state tuition | $5,550BEST | $5,980 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,100 | $7,968BEST |
| Clinical placement | — | — |
| Accreditation | SCORECARD_BASELINE | SCORECARD_BASELINE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, Des Moines Area Community College or Kirkwood Community College?
Kirkwood Community College's ADN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 97.8%, compared to 96.4% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.
Which is cheaper, Des Moines Area Community College or Kirkwood Community College?
Des Moines Area Community College is the more affordable option at roughly $5,550, compared to $5,980. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.
Are Des Moines Area Community College and Kirkwood Community College the same type of program?
Both are ADN programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.
How do I decide between Des Moines Area Community College and Kirkwood Community College?
Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.
Want a personalized fit score?
Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.