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Computer Engineering at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $79,228/yr (1% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)

ROI 18.3x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #127 of 174 Computer Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$840K	$801K	$644K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.2x	18.3x	14.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.4x	6.1x	4.9x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	74%	43%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	71	65

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,856

Out-of-state: $131,708 (6.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$85,592

-95% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

3.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $79,228 track close to the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Engineering's typical career paths, with 71% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 23% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,500 in median debt against $79,228 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #127 of 174 Computer Engineering programs, University of Iowa falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Iowa

University of Iowa has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 21,691 students enrolled in Iowa City, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr

Database architects $135,980/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Iowa

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at University of Iowa?

This program scores 71/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Computer Engineering careers?

With 71% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $644,041 in decade earnings vs $840,139 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →