Communication Disordersat University of Northern Iowa
Graduates earn $10,746/yr in their first year — about 58.0% below the national Communication Disorders average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,110K; scenarios range from $891K to $1,116K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Northern Iowa
The earnings data for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services often reflects a pivotal point in your career path. While the listed professions like Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist command strong salaries, they universally require graduate degrees to practice. The figures you see here likely include many graduates who are still pursuing or have recently completed their master's or doctoral studies, or are working in support roles before full licensure.
In a regional market like Iowa, public school districts are significant employers for new clinicians, which can sometimes offer different compensation structures compared to private clinics or hospitals in larger metro areas. UNI's program is a key pipeline for professionals serving the state, providing essential services to communities. The "High AI risk" often pertains to diagnostic support tools, not the human-centric therapeutic work itself.
Therefore, critically consider your post-baccalaureate plans; your true earning potential in these fields is largely realized *after* completing advanced degrees and gaining clinical experience.
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 University of Northern Iowa'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 Communication Disorders
How University of Northern Iowa stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Northern Iowa
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Northern Iowa, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication Disorders offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Communication Disorders trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Communication Disorders at University of Northern Iowa
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication Disorders at University of Northern Iowa?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication Disorders. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Communication Disorders at University of Northern Iowa worth the student debt?
Median debt of $17,537 against $10,746/yr starting salary means roughly 1.6 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Communication Disorders careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $890,660 in decade earnings vs $1,115,903 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication Disorders from University of Northern Iowa?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.