First, some facts. Of the Computer Science graduates from University of Iowa we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 89%, Computer Science graduates from University of Iowa have a substantially higher likelihood (+22%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 26% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Computer Science graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSoftware EngineerRockwell Collins Jan 2018 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the look of it, most folks who graduated with a Computer Science degree from the University of Iowa have landed jobs that are highly relevant to their studies, particularly in software engineering roles. You’ll notice a consistent trend where many start as Software Developers or Software Engineers at big companies like Amazon, Cerner, and even global brands like Huawei. These positions typically involve using their programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and knowledge of software development practices, all of which line up perfectly with what they learned in school.
However, not all jobs on the list stick closely to the Computer Science path. Some graduates have ventured into roles like Program Project Manager or even customer service positions where the direct application of coding and tech knowledge isn’t as strong. In these roles, while they may use some of their skills, like project management or technical understanding, they don’t fully leverage their Computer Science education. Overall, though, the clear majority are working in tech-related roles that keep them tied to the core concepts of their degree, giving them a solid foundation to build their careers on.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Computer Science graduates (this is across all Computer Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Iowa):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Iowa's Computer Science program, it seems like a lot of them have really stuck to the tech field after graduation. For many, their first job out of college tends to be in software development or engineering roles, which makes sense given the skills they acquire in their degree. For instance, graduates from 2016 started as Associate Senior Software Engineers and made it to Senior positions fairly quickly—showing that there are solid opportunities if you land in the right company.
Fast forward a bit—after about 5 to 10 years, many graduates have moved up the ladder to more advanced roles, like Senior Software Engineers or even specialized positions like Machine Learning Scientists. This pattern suggests that the Computer Science degree is serving graduates well, allowing them to establish fulfilling and lucrative careers in relevant fields. However, there are a few outliers that ventured into non-tech related roles, which can happen, but for the most part, these grads seem to be thriving in the tech industry. Overall, it looks like a Computer Science degree from the University of Iowa can set students up for successful long-term careers in tech, especially in software engineering and related fields. Pretty sweet, right?
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. At the University of Iowa, like most places, you'll dive into coding, algorithms, and systems, which can get pretty technical and complex. If you enjoy problem-solving and have a knack for logical thinking, you might find it a bit easier, but if math and programming aren't your thing, it could feel overwhelming at times. There’s a fair amount of group work and projects too, which can either help you learn through collaboration or add to the stress. Overall, it’s about average in difficulty; it takes dedication and effort, but if you're passionate about it, you might find it's worth the grind!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Science.
So, looking at these Computer Science grads from the University of Iowa, it seems like they’re mostly doing pretty well in their careers. A lot of them have hopped into solid software engineering roles, which generally come with decent salaries—especially at big-name companies like Amazon and Cerner Corporation. Even graduates from 2020 and 2021 are moving up quickly, with many snagging positions like Software Engineer II and Machine Learning Scientist II, which usually pay quite well. Then there's the grad who became an Assistant Professor; teaching jobs can vary, but that one shines a light on the diversity of career paths. Overall, it looks like these folks are finding good opportunities and likely making decent money, especially as they gain experience. So, if you're thinking about pursuing comp sci, it seems like a pretty smart move!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Computer Science (this is across all Computer Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Iowa). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Computer Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Computer Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: