Chinese Studies Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Chinese Studies degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.8 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Chinese Studies in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Chinese Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Chinese Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Mandarin and Cultural Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $50,600.
Category
Humanities
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Chinese Studies Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chinese Studies salary: $55,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $108,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Chinese Studies ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Chinese Studies degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,400
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
3.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$113,460
Lifetime earnings premium ($184,000) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Chinese Studies in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Chinese Studies
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Chinese Studies in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for Chinese Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Humanities
Publishing
Non-profits
Education
Media companies
Government
Common Chinese Studies Job Titles
Chinese Studies in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$55K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$43K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$46K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$52K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$54K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$53K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$45K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$48K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Humanities Majors in Des Moines
Linguistics
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Philosophy
$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Foreign Languages & Literatures
$46K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
English
$39K starting · 7 yr ROI
History
$40K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Classical Studies
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Classics
$46K starting · 8 yr ROI
Africana Studies
$39K starting · 5 yr ROI
Chinese Studies Degree in Des Moines — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Chinese Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Des Moines.