Mathematics at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
69
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $60,612/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 of 253 Mathematics programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $700K $675K $580K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.0x 15.4x 13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.1x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 69 64

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 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,592
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,686
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,612 at University of Iowa come in 19% above the national median of $50,797 for Mathematics programs.

The 15.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 65% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $60,612 far exceeding the $21,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #15 ranking out of 253 Mathematics programs nationally puts University of Iowa in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $60,612 to $74,686 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Iowa

University of Iowa accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 21,691 students enrolled in Iowa City, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mathematics at Other Schools

Compare Mathematics

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

How does University of Iowa's Mathematics program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Mathematics graduates.
How vulnerable is Mathematics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mathematics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →