Engineering-Related Fields at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
69
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $62,416/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,400 openings/yr)
ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 31 Engineering-Related Fields programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering-Related Fields graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $668K $656K $596K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.9x 15.6x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 5.9x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 69 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,775
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $62,416 track close to the $69,301 national median for Engineering-Related Fields programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Engineering-Related Fields programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering-Related Fields's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

At $23,250 in median debt against $62,416 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #7 of 31 nationally, this is a top-5% Engineering-Related Fields program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $62,416 to $77,775 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 25,033 students enrolled in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Industrial production managers $121,440/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering-Related Fields at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iowa State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering-Related Fields at Iowa State University?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Engineering-Related Fields field.
Will AI replace Engineering-Related Fields careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $595,617 in decade earnings vs $668,163 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Iowa State University's Engineering-Related Fields program stand out?
Ranked #7 of 31 programs nationally, Iowa State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →