Online Engineering Degree Programs in Iowa
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The Hawkeye State may prove one of the best locations across the country to begin a career in engineering. In fact, several engineering subfields were expected to grow substantially between 2014 and 2024, with Projections Central offering the following estimates: biomedical engineering (24.6 percent increase in positions in Iowa, 2014-24), civil engineering (13.3 percent increase), environmental engineering (10.7 percent increase), computer hardware engineering (10.3 percent increase), and mechanical engineering (8.2 percent increase). To put this in perspective, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (October 2016) predicted that engineering occupations would swell by an average of just four percent nationwide.
Furthermore, the engineering industry is already strong in Iowa, and professionals in this career path earn competitive salaries. By illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2016) reported that there were 18,810 engineering and architectural professionals working in Iowa, earning an average annual salary of $69,440. Additionally, engineers in certain subfields made much more than this; for example, Iowa-based computer hardware engineers earned an average wage of $105,520 per year, while aerospace engineers could expect to bring home $110,600 on average. These figures were much higher than the average salary of all positions statewide, which was $43,540.
Of course, a growing industry and competitive salary prospects are only two of significant benefits available to engineers in Iowa. These skilled workers also enjoy support from myriad professional organizations and societies, including:
Engineers in Iowa are not required to join one of these organizations, but membership often comes with benefits such as networking opportunities, professional advocacy, and continuing education, as well.
Overall, the promise of a competitive salary, a thriving employment sector, and the abundance of professional organizations are compelling reasons for many aspiring engineers in Iowa to begin pursuing this career, which generally requires the completion of a degree or certificate program. And in addition to the campus-based programs, there’s a number of online engineering programs in Iowa, which can offer a greater degree of flexibility for students with other commitments or who live in rural regions of the state.
Aspiring engineers in Iowa can consider the following guide, which includes information on the various online degrees available, exemplary professors, admissions requirements, and what to expect during the application process.