Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Iowa State University
Bachelor's Degree
iastate.eduAnalysis
Iowa State's electrical engineering graduates earn $85,000 right out of college—over $7,000 more than the national median for this field and $7,000 above the Iowa average. While this places the program in the 95th percentile nationally, that state ranking of 60th percentile deserves context: with only three engineering programs in Iowa, this essentially means Iowa State sits in the middle of a small, highly competitive group. More telling is the comparison to University of Iowa's $71,000—Iowa State graduates are earning $14,000 more annually.
The debt picture strengthens the value case. At $27,000, graduates carry slightly more than the state median but meaningfully less than the national average, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.32. An engineering graduate here could reasonably pay off their loans in under three years if they prioritized it. Earnings climb to $93,000 by year four, and the robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms this isn't a fluke.
For an 89% admission rate school, these outcomes are exceptional. Iowa State has built a genuine engineering powerhouse that delivers elite-level earnings without requiring Ivy League credentials or saddling graduates with crushing debt. If your child wants to study electrical engineering and can get into Iowa State, this represents one of the strongest return-on-investment options in the Midwest.
Where Iowa State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all electrical, electronics and communications engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Iowa State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University | $84,913 | $92,805 | +9% |
| University of California-Berkeley | $137,295 | $202,911 | +48% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $117,345 | $172,897 | +47% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | $139,337 | $149,740 | +7% |
| University of Iowa | $70,686 | $90,600 | +28% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (3 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Iowa State UniversityAmes | $10,497 | $84,913 | $92,805 | $26,997 | 0.32 |
 University of IowaIowa City | $10,964 | $70,686 | $90,600 | $25,875 | 0.37 |
| National Median | — | $77,710 | — | $24,989 | 0.32 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with electrical, electronics and communications engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Computer Hardware Engineers
Aerospace Engineers
Electrical Engineers
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
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 Iowa State University, approximately 18% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 105 graduates with reported earnings and 110 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.