Home › University of Iowa › Liberal Arts and Sciences

Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,791/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #31 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $563K $563K $538K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.8x 12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.3x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 45 48

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 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,592
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,886
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,491
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Iowa's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $40,791/yr — above the $37,172 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 12.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 4%. Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

The $21,886 debt-to-$40,791 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #31 ranking out of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally puts University of Iowa in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,791 to $59,491 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary 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

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 424 schools offering Liberal Arts and Sciences →

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($103,135) DePaul University ($84,066) Molloy College ($74,868) Bentley University ($72,333) Champlain College ($71,207) Georgetown University ($66,719) Thomas More University ($62,607) Drexel University ($62,470)

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) Civil Engineering ($70,313)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Liberal Arts and Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Iowa's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →