Computer Engineering at University of Iowa

University of Iowa's Computer Engineering program puts graduates on solid financial footing, with manageable debt that represents just three months of first-year salary. The $19,500 median debt sits well below both the national average ($24,500) and the state average ($21,918), making this one of the more affordable paths to a computer engineering degree. First-year earnings of $79,228 nearly match Iowa State's output and track closely with state and national medians—exactly what you'd expect from a flagship university program.

The notable caveat here is the small sample size (under 30 graduates), which means these numbers could shift year to year. However, the fundamentals remain strong: a 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio is excellent for any engineering program, and starting just below $80,000 provides a comfortable foundation for loan repayment and savings. Within Iowa's limited computer engineering landscape (only six programs), this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while keeping debt costs low.

For Iowa families, especially those qualifying for in-state tuition at Iowa's 85% admission rate, this represents a straightforward value proposition. Your child gets the engineering education and career outcomes without the debt burden that could constrain their early career choices. The small sample size warrants attention to future data, but the current picture shows a program delivering on the core promise of engineering education: strong earning power relative to investment.