Subject-Area Teaching at Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
68
Optimistic
67
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,559/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk
High (43% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (444,600 openings/yr)
ROI
12.9x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Subject-Area Teaching graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $546K | $541K | $510K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 13.0x | 12.9x | 12.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.9x | 4.9x | 4.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 78% | 70% | 55% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 68 | 67 | 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 (4.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,750
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,845
15% growth from Year 1
About Iowa State University
Iowa State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, 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
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Compare & Explore
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Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Subject-Area Teaching at Iowa State University?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Subject-Area Teaching field.
Will AI replace Subject-Area Teaching careers?
With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $509,974 in decade earnings vs $546,145 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Iowa State University's Subject-Area Teaching program stand out?
Ranked #42 of 348 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →