At $21,398/yr net price, University of Iowa graduates earn $64,762/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,762/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,398 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,592 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,762/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,762/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,811/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,220/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,136/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,711/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,580/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
73.1% of students at University of Iowa graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 27% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Iowa gives you a solid financial return with low risk. Median debt sits at $22,500 against $64,762 in median earnings a decade out, so you can expect to pay down what you borrowed on a reasonable timeline. The 73% graduation rate and 89% retention rate mean most people who start here finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether college pays off for you.
Engineering is where the money is. Industrial engineering leads at $71,351, and electrical engineering follows close behind. These majors clear the school-wide median by several thousand dollars while carrying debt loads similar to everyone else, so the payoff is real. Chemical engineering pays $64,990 but comes with the heaviest debt on the list at $26,990, so weigh that gap before committing. Management sciences and quantitative methods lands around $62,260 with the lowest debt of the top five, making it one of the safer bets here.
The main risk is that the strong numbers cluster in engineering and quantitative fields. If you enroll planning to major in something outside those areas, the school-wide median earnings figure may overstate what you personally earn, since these high-paying programs pull that number up.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $13,811, roughly $10,000 less per year than families above $110k who pay $24,580. That difference compounds over four years into a much smaller debt load for you.
This school fits you if you want an engineering or quantitative degree at a public-school price and value a high chance of actually graduating. If your interests lie elsewhere, verify earnings for your specific major before enrolling, because the standout numbers here are concentrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Iowa worth the cost for most students?
University of Iowa offers decent value with a net price of $21,398 and 10-year earnings of $64,762. The relatively low debt burden of $22,500 makes it affordable compared to many state schools, though the 73% graduation rate means about 1 in 4 students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at University of Iowa?
Dentistry leads at $134,155 in median earnings, followed by pharmacy at $112,215 and nursing at $103,913. Business graduates earn $96,991, which is solid for a program with lower barriers to entry.
How much student debt do University of Iowa graduates typically have?
The median debt is $22,500, which is manageable given the school's earning outcomes. This debt level allows most graduates to maintain reasonable debt-to-income ratios in their first decade after graduation.
Does University of Iowa have good job placement after graduation?
With 86% acceptance rate and 73% graduation rate, University of Iowa is accessible but loses many students before completion. The $64,762 median earnings suggest decent job placement for those who graduate, particularly in health sciences and business.