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Materials Engineering at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,831/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,000 openings/yr)
ROI 18.6x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 33 Materials Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $813K $780K $685K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.4x 18.6x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.0x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 68

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 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,838
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Iowa State University's Materials Engineering program produces graduates earning $65,831/yr — within striking distance of the $71,341 national average for this field.

The 18.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $23,000 in median debt clears quickly against $65,831 in annual earnings.

Ranked #8 out of 33 programs, Iowa State University's Materials Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $65,831 to $87,838 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Iowa State University

A 89% acceptance rate means Iowa State University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 25,033 students in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Materials engineers $108,310/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 33 schools offering Materials Engineering →

Materials Engineering at Other Schools

University of Florida ($79,200) Drexel University ($78,623) Michigan State University ($78,276) Purdue University-Main Campus ($78,265) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($77,646) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($76,662) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($76,488) University of Connecticut ($75,607)

Other Majors at Iowa State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,913) Computer Engineering ($79,182) Computer Science ($78,517) Construction Engineering ($77,845) Chemical Engineering ($76,184) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($75,036) Industrial Engineering ($74,310) Mechanical Engineering ($72,900)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Iowa State University's Materials Engineering program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Materials Engineering graduates.
How vulnerable is Materials Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Materials Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Iowa State University rank so high for Materials Engineering?
The #8 ranking out of 33 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →