Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Iowa vary significantly by field of study, with business and health programs generally delivering stronger earnings than liberal arts fields. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than academic reputation or prestige.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and assess financial outcomes alongside your academic interests.
Analyzing 57 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate strong performance across earnings, national rankings, and enrollment scale.
recent graduates
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt levels, and enrollment size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Iowa.
Technology programs demonstrate strong earnings potential, with Artificial Intelligence graduates earning $76,915 and ranking #94 nationally. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $76,903 but rank #192 nationally, indicating competitive field dynamics.
Both programs offer solid financial returns despite varying national rankings. These programs serve students seeking technical careers with strong earnings potential and growing job market demand.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering. | — | $97,329★ | — | 40 |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes rather than academic reputation or admissions selectivity. Earnings data comes from federal College Scorecard records tracking graduates 10 years after enrollment, ensuring outcomes reflect actual career results rather than starting salaries. Cohort size requirements ensure statistical reliability, though some excellent programs may be excluded due to small enrollment. Rankings compare programs within their specific field nationally, so a lower rank may still indicate strong outcomes in a competitive field. Debt levels reflect typical borrowing for each program, helping students assess financial sustainability alongside earnings potential. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion data to identify programs offering strong return on educational investment.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | — | $97,208 | — | 35 |
| Industrial Engineering. | — | $95,347 | — | 29 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | — | $89,078 | $33,748 | 89 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | — | $88,264 | $28,702 | 37 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | — | $86,894 | $56,210 | 92 |
| Civil Engineering. | — | $83,350 | $23,250 | 41 |
| Computer Engineering. | — | $79,228 | — | 68 |
Business programs at University of Iowa deliver consistently strong earnings outcomes with national recognition. Actuarial Science ranks #23 nationally with $79,851 median earnings, while Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #48 nationally at $76,298.
Business Administration graduates earn $66,009, and Applied Economics graduates earn $66,230. Executive Career Coaching ranks #9 nationally, demonstrating program excellence.
These programs suit students prioritizing strong earnings potential with manageable debt levels.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | — | $92,767★ | $29,402 | 103 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | — | $91,720 | $33,930 | 201 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | — | $88,229 | $41,532 | 379 |
| Marketing. | — | $81,994 | $39,702 | 234 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | — | $77,659 | $31,966 | 142 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | — | $67,605 | $33,771 | 245 |
Health programs combine solid earnings with strong job market demand, led by Adult Health Nursing with graduates earning $64,690. The program ranks #211 nationally but maintains the #1 position in Iowa, reflecting regional strength in healthcare preparation.
With relatively lower debt levels at $18,520 median, nursing provides favorable financial outcomes. These programs serve students seeking stable careers in growing healthcare sectors with manageable educational debt.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | — | $78,836★ | $18,520 | 240 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | — | $68,601 | $19,789 | 45 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | — | $66,377 | $50,593 | 75 |
| Public Health. | — | $35,852 | — | 89 |
Mathematics programs show exceptional outcomes, with Algebra and Number Theory graduates earning $72,728 and ranking #48 nationally. Despite smaller cohort sizes, these programs demonstrate the value of quantitative skills in the modern economy.
Mathematics education prepares students for diverse career paths including finance, technology, and research. These programs suit students with strong analytical abilities seeking versatile career preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics. | — | $123,676★ | — | 29 |
| Mathematics. | — | $82,411 | — | 65 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | — | $65,072 | — | 31 |
| Biology, General. | — | $60,450 | $23,607 | 103 |
| Chemistry. | — | $60,227 | — | 34 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. | — | $38,289 | — | 29 |
Social sciences programs deliver moderate earnings with strong academic preparation for various career paths. American Government and Politics graduates earn $54,752 while ranking #117 nationally, and Psychology graduates earn $45,188 with #139 national ranking.
Both programs hold #1 state positions, indicating regional leadership. These programs serve students interested in public service, graduate study, or careers emphasizing analytical and communication skills.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | — | $76,746★ | $31,970 | 109 |
| Political Science and Government. | — | $65,923 | $34,634 | 117 |
| Criminology. | — | $60,947 | $35,707 | 86 |
| Geography and Cartography.Small sample | — | $59,578 | — | 10 |
| Sociology. | — | $54,464 | — | 42 |
| Social Work. | — | $52,451 | — | 51 |
| Anthropology. | — | $42,549 | $21,021 | 23 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | — | $35,274 | — | 30 |
Communication programs show varied outcomes, with Communication and Media Studies graduates earning $56,246 and ranking #43 nationally. Broadcast Journalism graduates earn $49,005 while ranking #33 nationally, indicating program quality despite moderate earnings.
Both programs maintain #1 state rankings, demonstrating Iowa leadership in communications education. These fields suit students prioritizing creative expression alongside reasonable economic outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies. | — | $60,737★ | $33,071 | 182 |
| Journalism. | — | $56,933 | $38,554 | 98 |
Liberal arts programs provide broad intellectual preparation with moderate earnings outcomes. General Studies graduates earn $50,705 while ranking #34 nationally with strong value scores, indicating efficient educational investment.
These programs suit students seeking intellectual breadth, graduate school preparation, or careers where critical thinking and communication skills are valued over specialized technical training.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | — | $61,200★ | $24,754 | 183 |
| Dance.Small sample | — | $60,188 | — | 16 |
| Philosophy. | — | $56,786 | — | 25 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | — | $54,530 | $20,442 | 51 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | — | $51,679 | $19,850 | 44 |
| Music. | — | $50,180 | — | 49 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | — | $47,892 | $18,500 | 52 |
| History. | — | $46,819 | — | 65 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | — | $43,192 | $16,485 | 106 |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other. | — | $40,434 | $38,554 | 134 |
| Religion/Religious Studies.Small sample | — | $32,569 | — | 10 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | — | $30,231 | — | 41 |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.Small sample | — | $29,685 | — | 8 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services.Small sample | — | $20,140 | — | 11 |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. leads education with 51K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | — | $51,338★ | $40,053 | 113 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | — | $50,407 | — | 81 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research. leads agriculture & environment with 59K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | — | $59,071 | $41,017 | 70 |
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. leads other & interdisciplinary with 68K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | — | $67,760★ | $31,747 | 109 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | — | $61,732 | $26,495 | 511 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | — | $57,098 | $48,140 | 55 |
| International/Globalization Studies. | — | $47,421 | — | 23 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies.Small sample | — | $46,063 | — | 11 |
| Area Studies.Small sample | — | $43,083 | — | 11 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
