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Civil Engineering at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $70,313/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 17.8x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #72 of 220 Civil Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Civil Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $817K $782K $687K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 17.8x 15.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 5.9x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 72 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,856
Out-of-state: $131,708 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,592
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,051
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Iowa's Civil Engineering program produces graduates earning $70,313/yr — within striking distance of the $69,097 national average for this field.

With a 17.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Civil Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $27,000 in median debt clears quickly against $70,313 in annual earnings.

A #72 ranking among 220 Civil Engineering programs places University of Iowa in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 21% earnings increase from $70,313 to $85,051 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Iowa

A 85% acceptance rate means University of Iowa is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 21,691 students in Iowa City, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142)

Other Majors at University of Iowa

Computer Engineering ($79,228) Industrial Engineering ($75,699) Chemical Engineering ($75,340) Statistics ($75,095) Mechanical Engineering ($71,732) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($70,686) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($70,324) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,368)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Civil Engineering at University of Iowa?
At 72/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Civil Engineering at University of Iowa?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →