Doctoral (Research)-13% vs national median555 grads tracked
Engineering at University of Iowa
Ranked 62nd of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$86,874
middle 50%: $64,466 – $116,383
Median · 5 years out
$121,670
middle 50%: $94,007 – $151,427
Median · 10 years out
$147,191
middle 50%: $112,407 – $190,036
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Engineering (doctoral (research)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Engineering research doctorate holders earn a median $86,874 in their first year. Salaries rise to $121,670 after five years and $147,191 after ten years.
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
3.5 yrs
≈ $3,741 total interest
Same major at other universities
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$123,601 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$123,452 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$123,301 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$122,766 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$122,177 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$120,780 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$119,795 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$119,554 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University
$119,554 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$118,327 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$117,867 · 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
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
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$105,105 · 5 yrs out
Related fields of study
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Compare universities
Agricultural Engineering
Compare universities
Architectural Engineering
Compare universities
Biochemical Engineering
Compare universities
Biological/Biosystems Engineering
Compare universities
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Compare universities