Computer and Information Sciences at Iowa State University

Iowa State's computer science program lands squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, earning just under the $61,322 national median, but tells a more favorable story within Iowa itself. At the 60th percentile statewide, it outperforms most in-state alternatives while charging virtually identical tuition to what you'd find at other Iowa public universities. The $24,438 debt load translates to a manageable 0.40 ratio against first-year earnings—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than half a year's salary.

The real comparison point here is Drake University, where grads earn about $9,400 more annually but likely carry significantly higher private school debt. Iowa State delivers competitive outcomes at public school pricing, which matters when 82% of students don't qualify for Pell grants and are presumably paying closer to full price. The first-year salary of $60,397 won't turn heads in coastal tech markets, but it's solid for Iowa's cost of living and provides a reasonable foundation for career growth.

For families choosing between Iowa's public options, this represents the expected return on investment. You're getting mainstream outcomes—not exceptional, not disappointing—with debt levels that won't dominate your child's post-graduation financial life. If your student is already Iowa-resident and considering in-state schools, this checks the boxes without fanfare.