Iowa City, IA · Private University
Is University of Iowa Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$64,762
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,964
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$32,927
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$131,708
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.97x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
73.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,398
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Iowa graduates earn $19,762 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Iowa ranked by graduate earnings
43 graduates
42 graduates
144 graduates
40 graduates
21 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Iowa
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Iowa, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $90,600) and the lowest (English Language and Literature/Letters, Other: $21,591) is $69,009/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $90,600 | 2.8x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $87,656 | 2.7x |
| Industrial Engineering | $83,890 | 2.5x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $79,851 | 2.4x |
| Chemical Engineering | $79,778 | 2.4x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $79,228 | 2.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $77,201 | 2.3x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $76,915 | 2.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,903 | 2.3x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $76,896 | 2.3x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $76,298 | 2.3x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $75,095 | 2.3x |
| Civil Engineering | $74,841 | 2.3x |
| Mathematics | $72,728 | 2.2x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $67,540 | 2.0x |
| Economics | $66,230 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $66,009 | 2.0x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,690 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $63,149 | 1.9x |
| Chemistry | $61,755 | 1.9x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $60,872 | 1.9x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $59,361 | 1.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $57,275 | 1.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,246 | 1.7x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $55,833 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $54,752 | 1.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $53,160 | 1.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,028 | 1.6x |
| History | $51,028 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $50,705 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $49,005 | 1.5x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $48,825 | 1.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $48,348 | 1.5x |
| International/Global Studies | $47,719 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $47,525 | 1.4x |
| Social Work | $46,843 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,195 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,931 | 1.4x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $45,566 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $45,188 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,302 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,860 | 1.2x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $39,749 | 1.2x |
| Dance | $39,585 | 1.2x |
| Music | $39,491 | 1.2x |
| Criminology(1yr data) | $38,520 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $36,836 | 1.1x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $35,852 | 1.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $35,505 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, OtherLowest(1yr data) | $21,591 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | 1.97x | $64,762 | Good ROI |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 2.05x | $56,887 | Strong ROI |
| Iowa State University | 2.29x | $63,386 | Strong ROI |
| Michigan State University | 1.55x | $67,253 | Good ROI |
| University of Kansas | 2.11x | $61,945 | Strong ROI |
| Kansas State University | 2.06x | $57,262 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Iowa offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $64,762 10 years after starting — $19,762 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.4 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.