Iowa State University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$41,988
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$18,873/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
799%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Iowa State University's in-state tuition costs $10,497. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $50,667. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $53,873, and after ten years, earnings reach $63,386. The median debt for graduates is $22,869, and 45.9% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Iowa State graduates is approximately 0.45, calculated by dividing the median debt of $22,869 by the one-year earnings of $50,667. The break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the tuition cost, is less than one year, based on the one-year earnings data.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,497
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,869
Median Earnings (5yr)
$53,873
Graduation Rate
75%
Receive Financial Aid
46%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $100,869 | 3038% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $91,318 | 2583% |
| Computer Engineering | $95,433 | 2779% |
| Marketing | $60,108 | 1096% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $0 | N/A |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $64,793 | 1319% |
| Design and Applied Arts | $58,526 | 1021% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $53,773 | 794% |
| Animal Sciences | $47,285 | 485% |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $59,766 | 1080% |
| Biology, General | $51,094 | 667% |
| Psychology, General | $42,771 | 270% |
Peer Comparison
799%
20yr ROI
491%
20yr ROI
1004%
20yr ROI
769%
20yr ROI
388%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.