Compare 8 Political Economy. programs in Iowa. Average earnings: $52,017.
The highest-earning Political Economy program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $26K earnings gap across 8 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Simpson College's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $62,268, well above the state average of $52,017. Drake University follows at $59,948, while the University of Iowa rounds out the top three at $54,752. This variation demonstrates that program quality matters more than school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Grinnell College graduates borrow $17,500 and face just an 8.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. Simpson College leads for families despite higher debt, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Simpson CollegePrivate | $62,268 | 10 | $26,000 | Good | $23,702 | Challenging |
| #2 | Drake UniversityPrivate | $59,948 | 21 | $23,000 | Good | $26,000 | Challenging |
| #3 | University Of IowaPublic | $54,752 | 143 | $22,500 | Good | $27,975 | Challenging |
| #4 | Grinnell CollegePrivate | $51,522 | 49 | $17,500 | Good | $36,324 | High |
| #5 | Luther CollegePrivate | $50,562 | 17 | $27,000 | Manageable | $40,923 | High |
| #6 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $50,541 | 97 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | High |
| #7 | $49,866 | 29 | $19,691 | Good | $17,670 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Grand View UniversityPrivate | $36,674 | 9 | $22,500 | Challenging | $20,398 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
