Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $10,746/yr (-58% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,400 openings/yr)
ROI 28.5x earnings multiple (13.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #31 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,116K $1,110K $891K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 28.7x 28.5x 22.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.1x 13.0x 10.5x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,912
Out-of-state: $85,088 (13.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,436
-50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,537
19.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,505
472% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $10,746 per year, Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn below the $25,392 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 28.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,537 against $10,746/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.6 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

At #31 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs, University of Northern Iowa scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $61,505 show a 472% jump from the $10,746 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Northern Iowa

With 94% of applicants admitted, University of Northern Iowa prioritizes broad access, enrolling 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Speech-language pathologists $95,410/yr
Audiologists $92,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Northern Iowa

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of Northern Iowa?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of Northern Iowa worth the student debt?
Median debt of $17,537 against $10,746/yr starting salary means roughly 1.6 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Communication Disorders Sciences and Services careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $890,660 in decade earnings vs $1,115,903 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication Disorders Sciences and Services from University of Northern Iowa?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →