Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University

Iowa State's Landscape Architecture program offers solid middle-tier outcomes with refreshingly manageable debt. At $53,355 starting out, graduates earn slightly above the national median for landscape architecture programs, and they do so while carrying debt that's in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of landscape architecture grads elsewhere face heavier loan burdens. That 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to manageable monthly payments even on entry-level salaries.

The 15% earnings bump by year four ($61,464) isn't spectacular, but it's steady growth in a field where starting salaries rarely break $60,000. Since Iowa State is the only in-state option for this program, you're essentially evaluating whether landscape architecture itself makes financial sense rather than comparing Iowa schools. The accessible admission (89% acceptance rate) means your child likely won't need to break the bank on test prep or extracurriculars just to get in.

The caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so one outlier could skew these numbers significantly. That said, the combination of below-national debt and above-national earnings suggests Iowa State has figured out how to deliver this program efficiently. If your child is passionate about landscape architecture and prefers staying closer to home, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt while they establish their career.