Tuition & Costs
At Kirkwood, You Can Afford a Quality Education!
Kirkwood’s tuition is one of the lowest in Iowa—and that means a better future is within your reach. Take advantage of scholarships and grants you don't have to repay, and talk to one of our experts about applying for a student loan.
If you choose an in-demand program, you can get your degree or certificate tuition-free with Future Ready Iowa’s Last-Dollar Scholarship.
Ready to get started? We're ready to help.
Tools for Students
The Net Price Calculator can help estimate your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional student financial aid. Use it to help plan how to optimize your education bucket.
You might need:
- Last year’s income tax returns for yourself and your parents
- Earnings statements (W2 forms or recent paycheck stubs)
- Bank statements
- Academic merit information like your high school GPA and/or SAT or ACT scores.
Don't go into the student loan process unaware, you should always understand what the terms and repayment details are before committing to taking a student loan. To help, The Federal Student Aid Office created the Loan Repayment Calculator. The tool can give you an understanding of how long it will take to pay off your student loans based on what you're expecting to borrow.
Estimate how much you can expect to pay for living expenses, tuition and fees, and transportation at Kirkwood. Discover how options like living at home or attending school part-time can affect what you pay.
2025 – ’26 Cost of Attendance
| AT HOME FULL-TIME | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees: | $6,288 |
| Food and Housing: | $6,233 |
| Personal Expenses: | $2,988 |
| Books and Supplies: | $1,000 |
| Loan Fees: | $64 |
| Transportation: | $1,680 |
| TOTAL: | $18,253 |
| Adjustment for out of state students: | $2,100 |
| AWAY FROM HOME FULL-TIME | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees: | $6,288 |
| Food and Housing: | $9,639 |
| Personal Expenses: | $2,988 |
| Books and Supplies: | $1,000 |
| Loan Fees: | $64 |
| Transportation: | $1,680 |
| TOTAL: | $21,659 |
| Adjustment for out of state students: | $2,100 |
| AT HOME PART-TIME | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees: | $3,194 |
| Food and Housing: | $6,233 |
| Personal Expenses: | $2,988 |
| Books and Supplies: | $1,000 |
| Loan Fees: | $64 |
| Transportation: | $1,680 |
| TOTAL: | $15,159 |
| Adjustment for out of state students: | $1,050 |
| AWAY FROM HOME PART-TIME | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees: | $3,194 |
| Food and Housing: | $9,639 |
| Personal Expenses: | $2,988 |
| Books and Supplies: | $1,000 |
| Loan Fees: | $64 |
| Transportation: | $1,680 |
| TOTAL: | $18,565 |
| Adjustment for out of state students: | $1,050 |
Tuition for Iowa residents is $221 per credit hour.
- Tuition for a 3-credit course is $663.
- Expect to pay about $3,315 per full-time semester (15 credit hours) or $6,630 per year.
- A full program encompassing two years and 62 credit hours costs approximately $13,702.
Tuition for out-of-state students is $296 per credit hour.
- Tuition for a 3-credit course is $888.
- Expect to pay about $4,440 per full-time semester (15 credit hours) or $8,880 per year.
- A full program encompassing two years and 62 credit hours costs approximately $18,352.
Tuition for international students is $400 per credit hour.
- Tuition for a 3-credit course is $1,200.
- Expect to pay about $6,000 per full-time semester (15 credit hours) or $12,000 per year.
- A full program encompassing two years and 62 credit hours costs approximately $24,800.
Class Fees & Costs
Technology Fee
All Kirkwood students pay a $50 technology fee per semester. The fee supports opportunities to improve learning by further integrating technology into Kirkwood programs. It also helps drive continuous improvements to technology resources and learning management systems.
Books
Estimated book costs vary by program.
| Program | by semester |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | $350 |
| Industrial Tech | $350 |
| Business & IT | $650 |
| Hospitality | $650 |
| Nursing: | $950 |
| All other programs: | $500 |
The Kirkwood Bookstore also holds periodic buy back events so you can sell your books when you’re finished with classes. Contact the bookstore to learn more.
Supply Costs
Some Kirkwood programs require students to purchase uniforms or tools. Your program advisor will provide details if this applies to you.
Licensure or Certification
Costs incurred during college for a required licensure or certification can also be included in cost of attendance.
Additional Costs and Fees
Some Kirkwood courses require additional fees. Learn more in the course information section on MyHub.
Other Costs
Food and Housing
Housing and food costs are determined by student residence. Those students living at home are provided a cost of attendance estimate of $6,233. Those students that live away from home are provided a cost of attendance estimate of $9,639.
Loan Fees
Since loan services take a percentage of a borrowed loan, an estimated amount of $64 is allocated in the cost of attendance.
Personal Expenses
An estimated cost of $2,988 for personal expenses is allocated in the cost of attendance.
Transportation
An estimated transportation cost of $1,680 is allocated in the cost of attendance.
Costs that can be Considered
Study Abroad
A student in a study abroad course has additional costs that can be added to a student's cost of attendance.
Dependent Care
A student with dependents can request consideration of the cost of dependent care be included in cost of attendance.
Disability Costs
A student with a disability can request consideration of the additional out of pocket costs associated with the disability and accommodations in the cost of attendance.
“I really didn’t like the idea of going into debt and owing somebody a huge amount of money to be able to go to college. I just didn’t buy into that as a good idea for my future, so I’m paying for college out of my own pocket. Kirkwood was the only option I looked at that gave me that freedom to explore what I really wanted to do without going into miles of debt.”
Celia Daniels,
North Liberty, Iowa
Questions?
Financial Aid Office
3rd Floor, Iowa Hall
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Regular hours)
Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Summer hours [May 19 - Aug 8])
Phone: 319-398-7600 or 1-877-386-9101
Fax: 319-398-4928
Email: financialaid@kirkwood.edu
Mailing Address:
Kirkwood Community College
Financial Aid Office
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404