CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · Iowa City, Iowa

Is Chemistry at University of Iowa worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 6.4 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$48,093
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$64,691
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$19,750
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$95k (likely $95k – $123k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$25k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in IA
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
6.4 years (likely 4.5–10.7)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$59k (likely −$192k – $67k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$240k (likely −$4k – $544k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
76%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Chemistry at other schools

🔭 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward math & physical science majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Statistics
  • AP Physics C: Mechanics
  • AP Chemistry

IB Higher Level

  • Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL
  • Physics HL or Chemistry HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at University of Iowa

Chemistry at other schools in Iowa