Iowa State University Career Outcomes & Earnings

Four years after completing a degree, federally aided graduates who are working and not enrolled earn a median of $68,277, at the 73rd percentile nationally. That is $2,667 above the $65,610 median for comparable institutions (same type and size).

Azimuth places the university at the 77th percentile for return among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,803 more than the model expects for similar students.

That places the gap at the 68th percentile. The part the model attributes to the factors it measures adds $14,181.

The part it attributes to a remainder it does not explain subtracts $10,378. Within the measured factors, the STEM component adds $4,326.

The range between the downside and upside earnings scenarios is wide, from $49,577 to $93,687. These are scenarios estimated from the program mix, not observed groups of graduates.

At the upper end, Computer Engineering graduates earn $105,753 four years after completion, and Computer Science graduates earn $104,211. Construction Engineering, a smaller program, reports $100,676.

An estimated 26.7% of graduates continue to graduate study, a figure derived from the institution's program mix rather than observed enrollment. Because four-year earnings figures capture only those working and not enrolled, the median earnings understate the eventual earnings of the sizable share of completers who pursue advanced degrees.

The five largest programs at Iowa State University show a clear split between higher-earning engineering fields and more moderate-earning business and agricultural programs. Computer Engineering, the highest-earning of the group, reports median earnings of $105,753 four years after completion, with 295 degrees awarded.

Azimuth ranks it #48 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions in its field. Mechanical Engineering is nearly as large at 406 degrees awarded and posts median earnings of $85,938, ranking #163 nationally.

Business Administration and Management, the largest program at 418 degrees a year, earns $78,304 and holds a national rank of #69. At the more moderate end, Animal Sciences awards 241 degrees and reports median earnings of $51,644, though Azimuth ranks it #17 nationally within its field.

The contrast between the engineering programs and the business and agricultural fields is the main earnings story at the program level.

Iowa State University offers 56 bachelor's programs with an Azimuth national rank and published earnings for 67 fields. The program that awards the most degrees is Business Administration and Management, which awarded 418 degrees, ranks #69 nationally, and shows a median of $78,304 four years after completion.

Construction Engineering ranks #2 nationally, with 71 degrees awarded and completers earning $100,676 four years after completion. Agricultural Mechanization ranks #2 with 41 degrees awarded and a median of $78,890 four years after completion.

Computer Engineering leads on earnings at $105,753, with 295 degrees awarded and a national rank of #48.