Mathematics at Iowa State University

Iowa State's mathematics program produces outcomes that cluster right at the middle of the pack—both nationally and within Iowa. Graduates earn $51,422 in their first year, landing at the 60th percentile among Iowa math programs and 61st percentile nationally. That's about $3,000 more than the typical math graduate nationwide, though it trails University of Iowa's math program by roughly $9,000. The debt load of $22,942 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about five months of gross income.

The 14% earnings growth over four years is modest but steady, bringing mid-career pay to $58,347. For a highly accessible program (89% admission rate), these numbers represent solid middle-class outcomes without exceptional upside. The mathematics degree opens standard quantitative career paths—data analysis, actuarial work, teaching—and the debt burden won't constrain those choices.

For an Iowa family, this is a safe bet: in-state tuition keeps debt reasonable, and outcomes match the state median for math degrees. You're getting what you'd expect from a large land-grant university—not standout, but dependable and fairly priced. If your student is weighing this against University of Iowa's stronger math earnings, they'd need to consider whether that $9,000 difference justifies any cost differential.