International Agriculture at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,068/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (2,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 1 International Agriculture programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to International Agriculture graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $537K $534K $493K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.7x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.8x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 40% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 45 39
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,601
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $52,068/yr, roughly in line with the $52,068 national median for International Agriculture. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI International Agriculture programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in International Agriculture's typical career paths, with 42% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $52,068 far exceeding the $21,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

This program is one of 1 schools offering International Agriculture in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 25,033 in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

Top Career Paths

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr
Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Other Majors at Iowa State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Agriculture at Iowa State University?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Agriculture. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace International Agriculture careers?
With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $492,779 in decade earnings vs $537,235 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Iowa State University's International Agriculture program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 1 programs nationally, Iowa State University lands in the top 1%. 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 →