Physics at Iowa State University of Science & Technology
IA · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 40.08
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Physics degree from Iowa State University of Science & Technology earn a median salary of $60,837 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in IA, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $68,203. The degree typically pays for itself in 8 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$38,842
Typical Career
$60,837
Top Performers
$91,338
Estimated break-even: 8 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$406
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $5,070. Most students can comfortably afford about a $406 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.6x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.8x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Iowa buys what costs $0.89 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Manufacturing, Educational Services.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$68,203
Nominal: $60,837 in Iowa (COL 89.2% of national avg) · 12.1% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $24,465 | $35,207 | $48,487 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $38,842 | $60,837 | $91,338 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $64,402 | $98,163 | $141,116 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $60,837 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in IA, which has a cost-of-living index of 89.2% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $60,837 × (1.0 ÷ 0.8920)
= $68,203 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The top industries for Physics graduates include Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (16.2%), Manufacturing (14.4%), and Educational Services (11.3%). This diverse range of sectors suggests that graduates have multiple pathways to employment. The estimated break-even point compared to a high-school-only path is approximately eight years, indicating a favorable return on investment for students pursuing this degree. Overall, a Physics degree from Iowa State University offers a solid financial outlook and a variety of career opportunities.
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Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.