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Industrial Engineering at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $75,699/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk High (43% exposed)

Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)

ROI 18.3x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #17 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$824K	$802K	$701K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.8x	18.3x	16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.3x	6.1x	5.3x
Probability of Field Employment	68%	64%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	74	73	71

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 (6.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$85,592

-95% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,375

3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$94,141

24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Iowa's Industrial Engineering program produces graduates earning $75,699/yr — within striking distance of the $73,874 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Industrial Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Industrial Engineering's typical career paths, with 43% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,375 in median debt clears quickly against $75,699 in annual earnings.

At #17 of 93 nationally, this is a top-5% Industrial Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $75,699 to $94,141 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Iowa

A 85% acceptance rate means University of Iowa is accessible to most applicants, with 21,691 students enrolled in Iowa City, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Industrial production managers $121,440/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Industrial Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Iowa

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 Industrial Engineering at University of Iowa?

This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Industrial Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Industrial Engineering careers?

With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $700,548 in decade earnings vs $823,631 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Iowa's Industrial Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #17 of 93 programs nationally, University of Iowa 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 →