Master's-12% vs national median176 grads tracked
Social Sciences at University of Iowa
Ranked 96th of 151 master's programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$30,295
middle 50%: $24,833 – $46,532
Median · 5 years out
$67,373
middle 50%: $46,043 – $91,565
Median · 10 years out
$84,898
middle 50%: $64,703 – $112,607
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Social Sciences (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Social Sciences master's graduates from the University of Iowa see median first-year pay of $30k. Median earnings reach $85k 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
7 yrs
≈ $8,705 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Toledo
$68,928 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$68,484 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$67,948 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$67,936 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$67,887 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$67,376 · 5 yrs out
Norfolk State University
$67,174 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Western Oregon University
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Illinois University
$66,891 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$66,850 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$66,585 · 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