Electrical Engineeringat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $84,913/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Electrical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $934K; scenarios range from $772K to $986K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
Iowa State's strong performance in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering is a testament to its deep roots in the Midwest's robust industrial and agricultural tech sectors. You'll find graduates excelling at major employers like Collins Aerospace, John Deere, and numerous advanced manufacturing and data center operations across Iowa and surrounding states. The program's reputation for practical, hands-on experience and strong industry partnerships ensures students are well-prepared for diverse roles in hardware design, embedded systems, and communications. While the field faces significant AI disruption, your ability to integrate AI tools into design and management, and to lead complex projects, will be crucial. Focus on developing strong problem-solving and interdisciplinary skills, actively seeking internships to build a network and gain real-world project management experience that sets you apart.
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 Electrical Engineering
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 Electrical Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Electrical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Electrical Engineering at Iowa State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Electrical Engineering at Iowa State University?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Electrical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Electrical Engineering careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $771,687 in decade earnings vs $985,679 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Iowa State University's Electrical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #6 of 262 programs nationally, Iowa State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.