Hospitality Administration/Management at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
53
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,743/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (310,600 openings/yr)
ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #36 of 135 Hospitality Administration/Management programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Hospitality Administration/Management graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $526K $523K $483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.4x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 38% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 53 45

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 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,830
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,743/yr, Hospitality Administration/Management graduates from Iowa State University land near the $35,217 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Hospitality Administration/Management programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Hospitality Administration/Management's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $36,743 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #36 of 135 Hospitality Administration/Management programs, Iowa State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $36,743 to $52,830 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Iowa State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Iowa State University prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 25,033 students in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Facilities managers $104,690/yr
Business teachers, postsecondary $97,270/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Hospitality Administration/Management 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 Hospitality Administration/Management at Iowa State University?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Hospitality Administration/Management field.
Will AI replace Hospitality Administration/Management careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $482,523 in decade earnings vs $525,714 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →