Analysis
Grand View's real estate bachelor's program shows a manageable debt load of roughly $20,500—below both the national and Iowa medians for this field. While earnings data for this specific program aren't available due to small graduate numbers, comparable real estate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $54,700. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, meaning graduates might repay their loans within six months of working if they dedicated all earnings to debt—a healthy financial position for a bachelor's degree.
The uncertainty here cuts both ways. University of Northern Iowa, Iowa's other real estate program with reported data, shows graduates earning $56,900 their first year, suggesting the Iowa market for real estate professionals might support slightly higher incomes than the national average. However, Grand View's 98% admission rate and the fact that 38% of students receive Pell grants means outcomes could vary widely depending on individual student preparation and networking within Iowa's real estate industry, which is concentrated in Des Moines and other urban centers.
For a student genuinely interested in real estate rather than just business generally, the low debt burden gives this program room to prove itself. The key question is whether your student can leverage Grand View's location in Iowa's capital to build the connections that drive success in real estate—a relationship-heavy field where the bachelor's degree often matters less than licensing, local market knowledge, and professional networks.
Where Grand View University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all real estate bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Real Estate bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (2 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33,450 | $54,665* | — | $20,530* | — | |
| $9,728 | $56,866* | $62,765 | $23,125* | 0.41 | |
| National Median | — | $54,665* | — | $21,126* | 0.39 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with real estate graduates
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Real Estate Brokers
Real Estate Sales Agents
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Grand View University, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 28 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.