Iowa State University— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$63,386
in 2021+30% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 30% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 29% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
- •Graduation rate improved by 15 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 60% | $10,500 |
| 1999 | — | — | 61% | $10,650 |
| 2000 | — | — | 60% | $10,750 |
| 2001 | — | — | 62% | $10,550 |
| 2002 | — | — | 64% | $10,186 |
| 2003 | — | — | 65% | $10,500 |
| 2004 | — | — | 66% | $11,000 |
| 2005 | — | — | 66% | $11,750 |
| 2006 | — | — | 68% | $13,038 |
| 2007 | — | — | 66% | $13,372 |
| 2008 | $48,600 | — | 66% | $13,068 |
| 2009 | — | — | 67% | $13,000 |
| 2010 | $47,700 | $14,453 | 69% | $14,078 |
| 2011 | — | $11,728 | 70% | $15,750 |
| 2012 | $47,200 | $13,925 | 68% | $17,500 |
| 2013 | $47,800 | $13,703 | 71% | $18,095 |
| 2014 | $48,600 | $14,336 | 68% | $18,250 |
| 2015 | $50,700 | $14,100 | 69% | $18,274 |
| 2016 | — | $13,997 | 71% | $18,659 |
| 2017 | — | $13,947 | 74% | $18,749 |
| 2018 | — | $14,331 | 73% | $18,250 |
| 2019 | — | $15,140 | 75% | $18,500 |
| 2020 | — | $15,496 | 74% | $18,750 |
| 2021 | $63,386 | $16,002 | 75% | $18,750 |
| 2022 | — | $15,351 | 76% | — |
| 2023 | — | $15,494 | 74% | — |
| 2024 | — | $18,165 | 75% | — |
| 2025 | — | $18,589 | 75% | — |