Law (JD) Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Law (JD) degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$0
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$0
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
N/A
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Law (JD) in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Law (JD) programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Law (JD) enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in . The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $0.
Category
Legal
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%
Law (JD) Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Law (JD) salary: $0 starting, $0 mid-career, $0 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Law (JD) ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Law (JD) 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
$-32,200
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
N/A
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$-70,540
Lifetime earnings premium ($0) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Law (JD) in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Law (JD)
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 Law (JD) in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Law (JD) graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Legal
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Law (JD) Job Titles
Law (JD) in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$0 starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$0 starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$0 starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$0 starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$0 starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$0 starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$0 starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$0 starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Law (JD) 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 Law (JD) ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Des Moines.