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Mechanical 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 $71,732/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #116 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$809K	$775K	$671K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.5x	17.7x	15.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.1x	5.9x	5.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
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

$22,922

3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$86,315

20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $71,732/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 17.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $71,732 far exceeding the $22,922 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #116 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places University of Iowa in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 20% earnings increase from $71,732 to $86,315 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineering at University of Iowa?

The 53% 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 →