Iowa State University
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
vs 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 per year. 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 by the one-year post-graduation earnings. Based on the median debt and one-year earnings, the break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the cost of tuition, is less than one year.
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
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering. | $41,988 | $81,779 | 2128% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $41,988 | $68,354 | 1489% |
| Marketing. | $41,988 | $60,108 | 1096% |
| Computer Engineering. | $41,988 | $95,433 | 2779% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $41,988 | $64,793 | 1319% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $41,988 | $53,773 | 794% |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | $41,988 | $59,766 | 1080% |
| Design and Applied Arts. | $41,988 | $49,449 | 588% |
| Animal Sciences. | $41,988 | $47,285 | 485% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $41,988 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $41,988 | $44,376 | 347% |
| Psychology, General. | $41,988 | $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)
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.