WhatGradsMake
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

Graduates of University of Iowa's doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $86,874 one year after graduating, rising to $147,191 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 13% below the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 62nd of 80 reporting programs.

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

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