Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 73.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 73.1%
- Retention Rate
- 89.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $64,762
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 71.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $239/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $134,155 | $241,115 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $112,215 | $147,065 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $103,913 | $119,905 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $97,071 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $96,991 | $42,275 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $82,440 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $73,075 | |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,351 | $21,375 |
| Public Health. | Master | $69,757 | $37,882 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,657 | $24,250 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $69,338 | $80,268 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $65,387 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,990 | $26,990 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $64,629 | $74,694 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,581 | $22,922 |
Outcomes Overview
Iowa graduates earn a median of $64,762 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $22,500. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 35%, well below the recommended 40% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $239 consume just 4.4% of median income, leaving plenty of room for other expenses. The university's strong alumni network in journalism, entertainment, and business helps explain the solid employment rate of 96.6%. Notable graduates like Tom Brokaw and Ashton Kutcher demonstrate the school's reach across industries. Iowa's combination of reasonable debt loads and solid earning potential makes it a strong return on investment for most students.