Iowa · Computer and Information Sciences

Best colleges for Computer and Information Sciences in Iowa

Ranked by graduate earnings

Drake University, Iowa State University and University of Iowa are the top bachelor's Computer and Information Sciences programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. Drake University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $69,835, College Scorecard. Iowa State University, University of Iowa and Drake University award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in Iowa: 224, 65 and 36 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Iowa colleges offer Computer and Information Sciences and award 412 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Computer and Information Sciences program focuses on the intersection of computing and informatics, treating computers as essential tools for problem-solving and innovation. This program is designed for students interested in…

Institutions
13
offering CIP 11.01
States & territories
56
with a program page
Degrees / yr
412
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$60,397
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,710
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
59%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer and Information Research Scientists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Drake University
Des Moines Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$69,8353674%$28,855$21,281
2Iowa State University
Ames Public · Bachelor's degree
$60,39722475%—$24,438
3University of Iowa
Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree
$60,1996575%—$26,025

Colleges awarding the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in Iowa

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Iowa State University
Ames Public
224$60,397
2University of Iowa
Iowa City Public
65$60,199
3Drake University
Des Moines Private not-for-profit
36$69,835
4Southeastern Community College
West Burlington Public
27Not reported
5Wartburg College
Waverly Private not-for-profit
17Not reported
6Upper Iowa University
Fayette Private not-for-profit
14Not reported
7Dordt University
Sioux Center Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
8Buena Vista University
Storm Lake Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
9Graceland University - Lamoni
Lamoni Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
10Simpson College
Indianola Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
Show the other 3 Iowa colleges offering Computer and Information Sciences
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of DubuqueDubuquePrivate not-for-profit3
Emmaus Bible CollegeDubuquePrivate not-for-profit2
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar RapidsPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+19.7%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~3,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$140,910
typically Master's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningMathematics

What Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Iowa

Jobs in Iowa
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
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Related careers

Software Developers
$118,780 avg · 9,040 jobs
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$96,130 avg · 4,760 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$154,640 avg · 3,920 jobs
Computer Occupations, All Other
$109,440 avg · 3,850 jobs
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
$90,730 avg · 3,110 jobs
Data Scientists
$98,100 avg · 2,300 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer and Information Sciences programs in Iowa.

Which Iowa colleges award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees?+

Iowa State University (224 graduates a year), University of Iowa (65 graduates a year) and Drake University (36 graduates a year) award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Iowa colleges offer Computer and Information Sciences.

What is the best college for Computer and Information Sciences in Iowa?+

By graduate earnings, Drake University leads among bachelor's Computer and Information Sciences programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $69,835, College Scorecard. Iowa State University and University of Iowa follow. By degrees awarded, Iowa State University is the largest, with 224 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Computer and Information Sciences program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Drake University tops the list at $69,835. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

What is the focus of the Computer and Information Sciences program?+

The Computer and Information Sciences program focuses on the intersection of computing and informatics, treating computers as essential tools for problem-solving and innovation. This program is designed for students interested in…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Computer and Information Research Scientists?+

The national job outlook is about +19.7% growth with around 3,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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