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Is University of Iowa worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for University of Iowa, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
University of Iowa lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $22,500 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $64,762, but the margin is not huge. For context, University of Iowa's net price runs about 53% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$20,121
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis weighs on your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $6,967 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $28,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$22,531
Median earnings 10 years out
$64,762
Median debt at graduation
$22,500
Graduation rate
74%
At University of Iowa, a typical graduate carries about $22,500 in student debt and earns roughly $64,762 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $256 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
University of Iowa is a public four year school in Iowa City, IA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Iowa State
Ames, IA
Worth-It Score: 76/100
Median net price: $18,589
Public 4-year
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
Worth-It Score: 71/100
Median net price: $15,901
Public 4-year
Montana State
Bozeman, MT
Worth-It Score: 54/100
Median net price: $22,499
Public 4-year
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
Worth-It Score: 67/100
Median net price: $22,420
Public 4-year
Rowan
Glassboro, NJ
Worth-It Score: 65/100
Median net price: $22,408
Common questions about University of Iowa
The median net price at University of Iowa is $22,531 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Iowa? See the most affordable public universities in Iowa →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →