Tuition & Costs

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.

Visit Financial Aid Cost Estimator

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.


View Cost of Attendance PDF

 

2024 – ’25 Cost of Attendance 

AT HOME FULL-TIME
Tuition and Fees: $6,176
Food and Housing: $5,945
Personal Expenses: $2,934
Books and Supplies: $1,000
Loan Fees: $64
Transportation: $1,608
TOTAL: $17,727
Adjustment for out of state students: $2,044

 

AWAY FROM HOME FULL-TIME
Tuition and Fees: $6,176
Food and Housing: $9,090
Personal Expenses: $2,934
Books and Supplies: $1,000
Loan Fees: $64
Transportation: $1,608
TOTAL: $20,872
Adjustment for out of state students: $2,044

 

AT HOME PART-TIME
Tuition and Fees: $3,138
Food and Housing: $5,945
Personal Expenses: $2,934
Books and Supplies: $1,000
Loan Fees: $64
Transportation: $1,608
TOTAL: $14,698
Adjustment for out of state students: $1,022

 

AWAY FROM HOME PART-TIME
Tuition and Fees: $3,138
Food and Housing: $9,090
Personal Expenses: $2,934
Books and Supplies: $1,000
Loan Fees: $64
Transportation: $1,608
TOTAL: $17,834
Adjustment for out of state students: $1,022

Tuition for Iowa residents is $217 per credit hour.

  • Tuition for a 3-credit course is $651.
  • Expect to pay about $3,255 per full-time semester (15 credit hours) or $6,510 per year.
  • A full program encompassing two years and 62 credit hours costs approximately $13,454.

Tuition for out-of-state students is $290 per credit hour.

  • Tuition for a 3-credit course is $870.
  • Expect to pay about $4,350 per full-time semester (15 credit hours) or $8,700 per year.
  • A full program encompassing two years and 62 credit hours costs approximately $17,980.

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 $5,945. Those students that live away from home are provided a cost of attendance estimate of $9,090.

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 $2,934 for personal expenses is allocated in the cost of attendance.

Transportation

An estimated transportation cost of $1,608 is allocated in the cost of attendance.

 

Costs that can be Considered

Study Abroad

Students that are in a study abroad course have an additional cost that can be added to a student's cost of attendance.

Dependent Care

Student's that have dependents can request consideration of the cost of dependent care be included in cost of attendance.

Disability Costs

Student's that have a disability can request consideration of the additional out of pocket costs associated with the disability and accommodations in the cost of attendance.

Photo of Andrew Forcier

“For me, coming to Kirkwood was the easiest and best next step. It’s down the road from where I went to high school and I’m able to live at home to save money.”

Andrew Forcier,
Fairfax, Iowa

Questions? 

Financial Aid Office

3rd Floor, Kirkwood Hall

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Regular hours)

Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Summer hours [May 20 - Aug 2])

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