Program Analysis
At $79,182/yr, Computer Engineering graduates from Iowa State University land near the $78,694 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 24.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 29% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $23,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Iowa State University ranks #27 among 174 Computer Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 41% earnings increase from $79,182 to $111,313 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.