Materials Engineeringat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $65,831/yr in their first year — about 8.0% below the national Materials Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $780K; scenarios range from $685K to $813K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
Iowa State’s Materials Engineering program consistently ranks among the nation's best, reflecting a strong curriculum and dedicated faculty. While initial earning potential here might appear slightly below the broader national average, this often reflects the regional labor market in the Midwest. Iowa boasts robust manufacturing and agricultural technology sectors, providing ample stable opportunities with companies like John Deere or Collins Aerospace, but these roles typically align with a lower cost of living compared to major coastal tech hubs. You'll gain a foundational engineering skillset applicable across diverse industries, from advanced composites to sustainable materials. Given the field's evolving landscape and the indicated AI risk, focusing on internships that provide hands-on experience in areas like process optimization or novel material development will be crucial. This hands-on experience, coupled with your strong technical base, can help you navigate the job market effectively and position you for long-term growth, whether you aim for management or specialized R&D.
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 Materials Engineering
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.
Frequently asked about Materials Engineering at Iowa State University
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.