Best Master's Degree Programs at Iowa State University by ROI
Every Master's Degree major at Iowa State University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
11
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$581,303
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$23,309
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$1,139,222 | $101,292 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Veterinary Medicine.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$1,049,542 | $96,808 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$1,015,002 | $95,081 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Industrial Engineering.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$963,802 | $92,521 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$711,702 | $79,916 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Plant Sciences.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$539,582 | $71,310 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Civil Engineering.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$530,022 | $70,832 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Accounting and Related Services.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$455,522 | $67,107 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Education, General.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
+$89,482 | $48,805 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Design and Applied Arts.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
-$23,418 | $43,160 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
English Language and Literature, General.
Grad rate: 75.0% |
-$76,118 | $40,525 | $23,309 | $0 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.