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Architectural Sciences and Technology at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $57,928/yr (16% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Medium (25,400 openings/yr)

ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #4 of 28 Architectural Sciences and Technology programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$619K	$606K	$554K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.8x	14.4x	13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.6x	5.5x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	74%	66%	49%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	53	52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,988

Out-of-state: $110,732 (5.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,660

-73% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$31,000

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Iowa State University's Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates start at $57,928/yr — above the $50,058 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Architectural Sciences and Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Architectural Sciences and Technology's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $31,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $57,928 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #4 of 28 nationally, this is a top-5% Architectural Sciences and Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About Iowa State University

A 89% acceptance rate means Iowa State University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 25,033 in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480/yr

Architectural and civil drafters $64,280/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Architectural Sciences and Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iowa State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Architectural Sciences and Technology at Iowa State University?

A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Architectural Sciences and Technology field.

Will AI replace Architectural Sciences and Technology careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $554,411 in decade earnings vs $619,433 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Iowa State University's Architectural Sciences and Technology program stand out?

Ranked #4 of 28 programs nationally, Iowa State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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