DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 120 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · AMES, IA · PUBLIC

Iowa State University

Iowa State University
89.1%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Iowa State University Graduate Earnings Overview

$53,873
Median Salary (6yr)
$63,386
Median Salary (10yr)
$22,869
Median Debt
2.8x
Earnings / Debt

Iowa State University graduates earn a median of $63,386 ten years after enrollment against median debt of $22,869. Actual outcomes depend heavily on your chosen major.

Salary by Major at Iowa State University

Earnings data by program, measured four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankIowa State University SalaryNational MedianPremium
Computer Science $75,000 $75,000 0%
Engineering $72,000 $72,000 0%
Mathematics & Statistics $62,000 $62,000 0%
Engineering Technologies $58,000 $58,000 0%
Business $55,000 $55,000 0%
Health Professions $52,000 $52,000 0%
Architecture $48,000 $48,000 0%
Physical Sciences $48,000 $48,000 0%
Social Sciences $45,000 $45,000 0%
Agriculture & Natural Resources $42,000 $42,000 0%
Biological Sciences $42,000 $42,000 0%
Homeland Security & Law Enforcement $42,000 $42,000 0%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $42,000 $42,000 0%
Communication & Journalism $40,000 $40,000 0%
Natural Resources & Conservation $40,000 $40,000 0%
History $40,000 $40,000 0%
Education $38,000 $38,000 0%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics $38,000 $38,000 0%
Philosophy & Religious Studies $38,000 $38,000 0%
Public Administration & Social Services $38,000 $38,000 0%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies $38,000 $38,000 0%
Psychology $36,000 $36,000 0%
English Language & Literature $36,000 $36,000 0%
Parks, Recreation & Fitness $35,000 $35,000 0%
Family & Consumer Sciences $35,000 $35,000 0%
Liberal Arts & General Studies $35,000 $35,000 0%
Visual & Performing Arts $34,000 $34,000 0%

Most Popular Majors at Iowa State University

What students actually study — percentage of degrees awarded by field.

Engineering
20.5%
Business/Marketing
19.4%
Agriculture
9.5%
Biological Sciences
5.6%
Education
5.4%
Computer Science
4.3%
Parks/Recreation
3.9%
Psychology
3.8%
Visual/Performing Arts
3.6%
Communication
3.0%
Social Sciences
2.5%
Family Sciences
2.3%

Is Iowa State University Worth It? The ROI Verdict

Most graduates can manage their debt load, though your specific major choice will significantly impact your personal ROI.

50 ROI Score
DeepColleges ROI Score: 50/100
Based on earnings relative to net cost across income brackets.

Iowa State University Programs & Graduate Salary

Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankIowa State University SalaryNational MedianPremium
Computer Science $75,000 $75,000 +0%
Engineering $72,000 $72,000 +0%
Mathematics & Statistics $62,000 $62,000 +0%
Engineering Technologies $58,000 $58,000 +0%
Business $55,000 $55,000 +0%
Health Professions $52,000 $52,000 +0%
Architecture $48,000 $48,000 +0%
Physical Sciences $48,000 $48,000 +0%
Social Sciences $45,000 $45,000 +0%
Agriculture & Natural Resources $42,000 $42,000 +0%
Biological Sciences $42,000 $42,000 +0%
Homeland Security & Law Enforcement $42,000 $42,000 +0%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $42,000 $42,000 +0%
Communication & Journalism $40,000 $40,000 +0%
Natural Resources & Conservation $40,000 $40,000 +0%
History $40,000 $40,000 +0%
Education $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Philosophy & Religious Studies $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Public Administration & Social Services $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Psychology $36,000 $36,000 +0%
English Language & Literature $36,000 $36,000 +0%
Parks, Recreation & Fitness $35,000 $35,000 +0%
Family & Consumer Sciences $35,000 $35,000 +0%
Liberal Arts & General Studies $35,000 $35,000 +0%
Visual & Performing Arts $34,000 $34,000 +0%

Iowa State University Salary & ROI FAQs

What do Iowa State University graduates actually earn?
Iowa State University graduates earn a median of $63,386 10 years post-graduation, up from $53,873 at 6 years out. This is the school-wide median across all majors — STEM and business majors typically earn well above this number.
Which majors at Iowa State University have the highest salary?
Top-earning majors at Iowa State University include Computer Science ($75,000); Engineering ($72,000); Mathematics & Statistics ($62,000). Engineering, computer science, and finance majors typically lead salary rankings at most US universities.
Is a Iowa State University degree worth the cost?
A 4-year Iowa State University degree costs about $63,720 for the average family (after aid). Median grads earn $63,386/yr at 10 years out — meaning most graduates pay back the cost within a few years of full-time work.
How much debt do Iowa State University students graduate with?
Median federal loan debt for Iowa State University graduates is $22,869. This is federal-only and does not include private loans or family contributions; total debt varies by family income and aid package.
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More About Iowa State University

Iowa State University Acceptance Rate Iowa State University Tuition & Cost Transfer to Iowa State University Iowa State University Salary & ROI Iowa State University AP Credit Best Majors at Iowa State University Iowa State University Housing International at Iowa State University

Other Colleges in IA

Grinnell College
12.7% accept · Grinnell
University of Iowa
84.7% accept · Iowa City

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Iowa State University is not affiliated with DeepColleges.