Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
University of Iowa graduates experience steady earnings advancement from early to mid-career, with median earnings growing from $52,696 at six years to $60,321 at eight years and $64,762 at ten years after enrollment. This represents 22.9% growth from the six-year to ten-year mark, indicating consistent career progression across the university's diverse academic programs.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings align with peer institutions — outcomes are in line with similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $22,500 in debt with typical earnings.
University of Iowa graduates carry median debt of $22,500, with debt levels spanning from $7,500 at the 25th percentile to $26,344 at the 75th percentile. This debt level sits $2,500 above the peer median of $20,000, ranking at the 52nd percentile nationally and reflecting typical borrowing patterns for public research universities.
University of Iowa ranks at the 85.6th percentile for return on investment, demonstrating well above average performance in translating educational investment into long-term economic outcomes. This strong return performance stems from graduates earning $4,219 more than the peer median of $60,543, while carrying debt levels $2,500 above peer institutions at $22,500.
Approximately 28.1% of University of Iowa graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting the university's strong preparation for adv...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate the diversity of career outcomes across University of Iowa's academic offerings, with business and quantitative fields leading in median earnings. Actuarial Science graduates earn $79,851, followed by Accounting Technology at $77,201 and Artificial Intelligence at $76,915, reflecting strong demand for quantitative and technical skills.
Business Administration graduates earn $66,009, while Applied Economics graduates earn $66,230, showing consistent strength across business disciplines. Health programs like Adult Health Nursing produce graduates earning $64,690 with lower debt burdens, creating favorable debt-to-earnings ratios.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation that supports diverse career pathways and mobility potential. The spread from $44,345 at the 25th percentile to $93,325 at the 75th percentile reflects differences in program choice, career sector, and individual achievement.
