Bachelor's-16% vs national median346 grads tracked
Area Studies at University of Iowa
Ranked 44th of 67 bachelor's programs in Area Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$34,720
middle 50%: $24,986 – $47,830
Median · 5 years out
$52,071
middle 50%: $37,967 – $70,540
Median · 10 years out
$73,032
middle 50%: $49,645 – $102,996
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Area Studies (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
University of Iowa's Area Studies graduates report a median starting salary of $35k. After ten years, earnings rise to $73k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
8 yrs
≈ $9,626 total interest
Same major at other universities
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
$53,343 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$53,219 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$53,081 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$52,989 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at New Paltz
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$52,745 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$52,551 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$51,576 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$50,572 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$50,539 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$50,129 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Queens College
$50,050 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Iowa
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$197,724 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$173,339 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$167,710 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$157,015 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,198 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$144,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$121,670 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$114,999 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,625 · 5 yrs out