University of Iowa
University of Iowa — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Iowa at a Glance
The University of Iowa is a public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is organized into 12 colleges offering more than 200 areas of study and 7 professional degrees.
1847
179 years old
$3.8B
$3.77 billion (2025)
31,563
23,407 undergrad · 6,269 grad
1,880 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Iowa
Official admissions page$55
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is University of Iowa Worth It?
University of Iowa offers moderate value at $22,531/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $64,762, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Iowa compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #37 of 64 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 100 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| #2 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #3 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | San Jose State University | 96 | $13,760 | $78,988 |
| #6 | University of Illinois Chicago | 95 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
| #37 | University of Iowa | 53 | $22,531 | $64,762 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Iowa's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IA.
Best Programs at University of Iowa
The highest-earning program at University of Iowa is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $67,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $21,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Iowa earns $67,300, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $21,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $24,267 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,531/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $67,300 | $67,300 | $24,267 |
| Industrial Engineering | $66,500 | $66,500 | $26,260 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,500 | $62,500 | $24,875 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,500 | $59,500 | $19,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $59,100 | $59,100 | $27,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $58,900 | $58,900 | $21,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $58,600 | $58,600 | $24,875 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,300 | $57,300 | $22,611 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,500 | $51,500 | $25,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $51,300 | $51,300 | $23,955 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $51,100 | $51,100 | $22,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $49,100 | $49,100 | $24,408 |
| Marketing | $44,100 | $44,100 | $20,100 |
| Mathematics | $43,500 | $43,500 | $20,306 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $43,200 | $43,200 | $20,307 |
| Economics | $42,100 | $42,100 | $22,117 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,800 | $38,800 | $25,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,700 | $37,700 | $22,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,500 | $37,500 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $36,400 | $36,400 | $24,080 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,100 | $36,100 | $24,150 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,100 | $36,100 | $21,500 |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $35,000 | $35,000 | $25,861 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $33,400 | $33,400 | $26,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $33,100 | $33,100 | $25,500 |
| Journalism | $33,100 | $33,100 | $22,591 |
| Social Work | $32,500 | $32,500 | $23,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $32,400 | $32,400 | $23,476 |
| Biology, General | $31,400 | $31,400 | $24,251 |
| History | $31,100 | $31,100 | $22,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,700 | $30,700 | $22,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,300 | $30,300 | $25,251 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $30,000 | $30,000 | $23,904 |
| Psychology, General | $29,800 | $29,800 | $21,500 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $29,800 | $29,800 | $24,243 |
| Sociology | $29,500 | $29,500 | $20,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $26,200 | $26,200 | $22,635 |
| Anthropology | $25,900 | $25,900 | $21,577 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,900 | $24,900 | $24,250 |
| International/Global Studies | $24,700 | $24,700 | $22,660 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $22,300 | $22,300 | $25,500 |
| Dance | $22,000 | $22,000 | $20,984 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21,800 | $21,800 | $23,000 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Iowa City, IA
- Student Body
- 22,264 students
- Admission Rate
- 84%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,531
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,762
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500