Economicsat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $57,619/yr in their first year — about 7.0% above the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $720K; scenarios range from $621K to $746K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
Iowa State University's Economics graduates start at $57,619/yr — above the $53,966 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 17.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,250 in median debt clears quickly against $57,619 in annual earnings.
Iowa State University ranks #17 among 351 Economics programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 41% earnings increase from $57,619 to $81,208 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Iowa State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Economics
How Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Iowa State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Economics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Economics at Iowa State University
What does a 77/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at Iowa State University?
At 77/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at Iowa State University?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Iowa State University one of the best schools for Economics?
Among 351 Economics programs, Iowa State University's #17 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.