What can you do with a Software Engineering degree from Iowa State University?

First, some facts. Of the Software Engineering graduates from Iowa State University 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 87%, Software Engineering graduates from Iowa State University have a much higher likelihood (+20%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 87%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 0% 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 Software Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Software Engineering graduate from Iowa State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Software Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Software Engineer
Nationwide
May 2022 - Nov 2022
The position of Software Engineer at Nationwide directly utilizes programming and software development skills acquired through the Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, making it highly relevant.

Senior Software Engineer
Nationwide
Nov 2022 - Present
As a Senior Software Engineer at Nationwide, the role requires advanced software engineering skills and knowledge gained from the Bachelor's degree, thus making it directly applicable and relevant.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Software Engineering degree from Iowa State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Looking at the job profiles of graduates from Iowa State University's Software Engineering program, it's clear that a lot of them have landed roles as Software Engineers or in related positions like Application Developers and Senior Software Engineers. These jobs are pretty much the bread and butter of Software Engineering, directly taking advantage of the skills and knowledge these individuals picked up during their studies. For example, positions like Software Engineer at John Deere and Cerner Corporation show a consistent theme—graduates are utilizing core competencies in programming, software development, and problem-solving on a daily basis, which is exactly what their degree prepared them for.

However, not every path taken seems to be directly tied back to Software Engineering. Some graduates have ventured into quite different roles, like an Analyst at Deloitte Consulting, which, while may involve analytical skills, doesn't strictly engage core software engineering principles all the time. There’s also the self-employed graduate whose work details are unknown, making it hard to assess relevance. Overall, though, for those aiming for traditional Software Engineering jobs, it’s reassuring to find that many graduates are successfully managing to stay relevant and engaged in roles that reflect their education. That’s a pretty solid indicator that a degree in Software Engineering from Iowa State is serving its purpose well!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Software Engineering graduates (this is across all Software Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Iowa State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Software Engineering graduates from Iowa State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

From what I can gather, graduates from the Software Engineering program at Iowa State University generally seem to be pursuing solid careers in tech-related fields. For their first jobs after graduation, many land roles as software engineers or developers, which is a pretty good start given the focus of their degree. For instance, graduates from 2012 to 2022 have taken on positions at reputable companies like John Deere and Deloitte, indicating they’re getting into significant roles right off the bat. It’s clear that a lot of them are gravitating towards traditional software engineering roles, which aligns well with the skills they’ve developed during their studies.

As for where they end up five or ten years down the line, there are some notable advancements. Several alumni have climbed the career ladder to roles like Senior Software Engineer and even CEO of their own startups, showcasing a pathway that blends technical growth with leadership and entrepreneurial endeavors. Sure, there are a couple of instances where graduates chose a self-employed route or freelanced, which may or may not be directly tied to their degree. Overall, though, it looks like many of these grads are carving out successful careers that are closely related to software engineering, which is great to see if you’re considering a similar path!

How hard is a Software Engineering degree from Iowa State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering can be pretty challenging, and Iowa State University is no exception. You’ll dive into a mix of coding, mathematics, and problem-solving, which all require consistent effort and a good amount of critical thinking. Some people find it easier because they’re really into tech and have a knack for it, while others might struggle with the math-heavy courses or the workload. Overall, it's kind of like riding a wave—there are highs when things click, and lows when you hit those tough concepts. If you’re passionate about it and willing to put in the work, it can definitely be a rewarding experience, but just know it’s not a walk in the park!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Software Engineering.

Do Software Engineering graduates from Iowa State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Iowa State grads, it seems like they’re doing pretty well financially in the tech world. The graduates from 2012 onward have moved up the ranks, with the earlier ones now holding senior positions that typically come with higher paychecks. Those who graduated more recently, like in 2021 and 2022, are also snagging solid roles right out of school, like software engineers at big names like John Deere and Nationwide, which usually offer decent salaries. The self-employed grad from 2018 might have a more variable income depending on their business success, but overall, it looks like most of these folks are on a solid path to making good money in their careers.

What buzzwords do Software Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Software Engineering (this is across all Software Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Iowa State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Software Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Software Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Software Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
San Jose State University 88 12
Iowa State University 87 10
The University of Texas at Dallas 86 15
Brigham Young University - Idaho 85 19
Arizona State University 83 13
Florida Gulf Coast University 72 17
University of Phoenix 64 17
Kennesaw State University 62 10
Western Governors University 60 10