Is Iowa State University worth it?
Iowa State University is a public, four-year institution in Ames, Iowa (small city). It awarded 7,330 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in mechanical engineering, marketing management and exercise science and kinesiology.
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- Found employed by class year, 2020 to 2025
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Federal data
Federal context for Iowa State University
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$50,667
Median earnings 4 years after
$68,277
Median earnings 10 years after
$63,386
Average net price
$18,589
Completion rate
75%
Completions (2024)
7,330
Years to pay back
1.1 years
Students (undergrad)
25,367
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's | $72,900 | $85,938 | 446 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's | $57,188 | $78,304 | 412 |
| Marketing | Bachelor's | $48,304 | $66,482 | 384 |
| Computer Engineering | Bachelor's | $79,182 | $105,753 | 357 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | Bachelor's | $53,967 | $67,529 | 328 |
| Design and Applied Arts | Bachelor's | $37,565 | $52,671 | 287 |
| Animal Sciences | Bachelor's | $39,567 | $51,644 | 241 |
| Veterinary Medicine | First professional | $96,477 | $111,742 | 241 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's | $56,974 | $75,360 | 239 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Bachelor's | $60,397 | $83,267 | 238 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's | $45,512 | $47,462 | 237 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's | $36,492 | $60,059 | 192 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | $34,155 | $49,286 | 178 |
| Accounting and Related Services | Bachelor's | $58,479 | $70,706 | 163 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | Bachelor's | $36,743 | $55,491 | 161 |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's | 369 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | Bachelor's | 245 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | Bachelor's | 234 |
| Animal Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 222 |
| Finance, General | Bachelor's | 215 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | 204 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General | Bachelor's | 173 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 173 |
| Veterinary Medicine | Doctoral professional practice | 157 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | Bachelor's | 157 |
Federal view: Census PSEO, most recent federal cohort, one year after completion
| Industry | Share of graduates | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 17% | 17,424 |
| Manufacturing | 15% | 15,231 |
| Educational Services | 13% | 13,383 |
| Finance and Insurance | 8% | 8,484 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 7% | 7,127 |
| Retail Trade | 6% | 6,724 |
| Wholesale Trade | 6% | 5,888 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 5% | 5,431 |
Similar schools
Other public four year schools in Iowa
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Sources: federal figures for Iowa State University. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for Iowa. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page