Computer Engineering Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Computer Engineering degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$115K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Computer Engineering in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Computer Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Computer Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for VLSI Design and Embedded Systems skills. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $46,000, growing to $115,000 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
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%
Computer Engineering Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Computer Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $125,000 mid-career, $155,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Computer Engineering ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Computer Engineering 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
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$941,460
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,012,000) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Computer Engineering in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Computer Engineering
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 Computer Engineering in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Computer Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Computer Engineering Job Titles
Computer Engineering in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$50K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$40K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$42K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$49K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$44K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Des Moines
Petroleum Engineering
$46K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$75K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$72K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering 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 Computer Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Des Moines.