Engineering-Related Fieldsat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $62,416/yr in their first year — about 10.0% below the national Engineering-Related Fields average. Base-case 10-year earnings $656K; scenarios range from $596K to $668K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
Iowa State's engineering programs boast a strong national reputation, built on a practical, hands-on curriculum that prepares you for immediate impact. The initial earning figures often reflect the regional labor market; many graduates find excellent opportunities within Iowa and the broader Midwest, where companies in manufacturing, agricultural technology, and industrial sectors actively recruit. While these roles offer competitive local salaries and a lower cost of living, they may not always match the highest-paying tech hubs found on the coasts. This program excels at cultivating well-rounded engineers. Given the evolving industry landscape and the high AI risk in some areas, proactively specializing in niche skills within your chosen discipline—perhaps through advanced coursework or specific internships—will be key to securing your long-term career trajectory.
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 Engineering-Related Fields
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 Engineering-Related Fields offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Engineering-Related Fields trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Engineering-Related Fields at Iowa State University
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.