University of Iowa combines open admission accessibility with strong economic mobility outcomes. As a Selective Achiever institution, the university delivers earnings above peer institutions while maintaining manageable debt levels and demonstrating consistent earnings growth across diverse academic programs.
With well above average outcomes, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Around the national average, reflecting typical cost structures for large public institutions
With above average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, indicating moderate inclusivity among public research universities
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to deliver earnings growth for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Iowa combines strong earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels and accessible admission. Graduates earn a median of $64,762 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 80th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $44,345 at the 25th percentile to $93,325 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across business, health, and technology programs. The institution generates earnings around national expectations based on student demographics and program mix, with a value-added performance at the 47.9th percentile.
Students seeking strong outcomes at an accessible public university with excellent mobility potential. Well-suited for those interested in business, health professions, or STEM fields who value open admission alongside solid post-graduation earnings.
Ideal for students prioritizing economic advancement and manageable debt levels.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of Iowa hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-iowa/analysis.
Top-tier mobility with accessible admission
University of Iowa ranks #199 nationally with mobility performance at the 91.9th percentile, demonstrating top-tier performance in economic advancement. Located in Iowa City, this large public research university maintains open admission with an 84.7% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
The university enrolls 17.8% Pell-eligible students and 22.3% first-generation students, reflecting moderate access levels among public institutions. Graduates earn $64,762 ten years after enrollment, placing University of Iowa at the 80th percentile nationally for long-term earnings.
Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $4,219 more annually. With earnings performing around expectations and controlled debt levels below peer institutions, University of Iowa operates as a Selective Achiever, combining accessible admission with strong economic outcomes while serving fewer low-income students relative to its earnings performance.
University of Iowa admits 84.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 5 in 6 applicants receive admission offers. This places the university in the Open Access category among four-year institutions, providing broad educational opportunity while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates University of Iowa admits students at a rate slightly higher than similar public research universities, though the difference is modest at 6.6 percentage points. This level of accessibility means most academically prepared students can expect admission, though meeting minimum requirements and completing a competitive application remain important.
The university's open admission approach reflects its public mission to serve Iowa residents and qualified out-of-state students seeking a research university education. Students should view University of Iowa as an accessible option while still preparing thorough applications that demonstrate academic readiness and program fit.
The combination of open admission with strong academic outcomes makes the university attractive to students seeking both opportunity and quality, though applicants should research specific program requirements as some majors may have additional admission criteria beyond general university admission.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Iowa's published cost of attendance is $26,883 per year, including $10,964 in-state tuition, $12,616 for room and board, and $950 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $32,927 tuition, raising total costs significantly.
However, the average student pays $21,398 after financial aid, representing savings of $5,485 from the sticker price. This net price compares favorably to the peer median of $15,590, though University of Iowa's costs run $5,808 higher than similar institutions.
The cost structure reflects typical public university pricing with substantial in-state tuition advantages and comprehensive financial aid programs that reduce net costs for most families. Financial aid savings demonstrate the university's commitment to affordability, though families should expect costs above many peer institutions.
The $21,398 average net price positions University of Iowa in the middle range for public research universities, requiring careful financial planning but remaining accessible to middle-income families. Net price variations by income level provide additional affordability for lower-income students through targeted aid programs.
University of Iowa graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $52,696 six years after enrollment to $60,321 at eight years and $64,762 at ten years, representing 22.9% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 6,036 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures.
Earnings span from $44,345 at the 25th percentile to $93,325 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory across the university's diverse academic offerings. The ratio between top and bottom quartile earnings is 2.1:1, indicating reasonable outcome variation while maintaining strong floor earnings.
Low-income graduates earn $67,300, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Approximately 28.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Business and health professions programs drive many of the strongest earnings outcomes.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
66 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
40 graduates
Actuarial Science.
239 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
49 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
46 graduates
University of Iowa offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Exercise Science and Kinesiology leads in enrollment with 585 graduates earning $52,028, ranking #18 nationally and #1 in Iowa.
Actuarial Science ranks #23 nationally and #1 in Iowa, graduating 239 students with median earnings of $79,851 and a strong value score of 67.2. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #48 nationally and #1 in Iowa, producing 410 graduates with median earnings of $76,298.
Business Administration and Management ranks #69 nationally and #1 in Iowa, graduating 257 students earning $66,009. Executive Career Coaching ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Iowa with 143 graduates earning $67,540.
The university holds the #1 state ranking across multiple programs, demonstrating leadership in Iowa's higher education landscape while delivering competitive national outcomes.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Louisiana At Lafayette Similar quality tier (#201 ranked) | LA | 89% | $47,089 | #201 | Compare |
Stockton University Similar quality tier (#197 ranked) | NJ | 88% | $57,602 | #197 | Compare |
Oakland University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#195 ranked) | MI | 70% | $58,612 | #195 | Compare |
University Of Maryland-Baltimore County Similar quality tier (#194 ranked) | MD | 74% | $69,960 | #194 | Compare |
University Of Memphis Similar quality tier (#193 ranked) | TN | 93% | $48,458 | #193 | Compare |
