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Landscape Architectureat Iowa State University

Graduates earn $53,355/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Landscape Architecture average. Base-case 10-year earnings $589K; scenarios range from $545K to $599K depending on AI disruption.

Ames, IA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
58 SOLID
59
Optimistic
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$53,355
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$589K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Iowa State University

Iowa State's College of Design is a powerhouse in the Midwest, and its reputation is the key driver behind these strong outcomes. You won't just be learning theory; the program's land-grant roots mean you'll focus on practical, large-scale projects relevant to the region, from urban park systems in cities like Des Moines and Omaha to corporate campus design and ecological restoration. This creates a direct recruiting pipeline to respected landscape architecture and multidisciplinary engineering firms across the Midwest who trust ISU's hands-on curriculum. While AI can automate drafting, it can't replicate the site analysis, client relations, and creative problem-solving you'll master. Your key to long-term success will be building a standout portfolio that showcases your unique design vision on complex, real-world projects, proving you're more than a drafter.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$545K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple13.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$589K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple14.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$599K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple14.3x
Earnings Trajectory

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.

Career Paths

Where Landscape Architecture graduates typically work

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.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Architecture teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$101,480/yr
Moderate
3
Landscape architects
+3.5% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$79,660/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Landscape Architecture

How Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
LA · Public
62
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
Ball State University
IN · Public
62
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
15.2x
ROI
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
58
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
12.8x
ROI
University of Rhode Island
RI · Public
55
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
8.8x
ROI
University of Georgia
GA · Public
60
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
13.9x
ROI
Also at Iowa State University

Other top programs at Iowa State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University?

At 58/100, Iowa State University's Landscape Architecture program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University?

The 44% 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.