Online Ux Design Degree in Iowa: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)

Quick answer: Iowa employs about 670 web and digital interface designers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through target employers on the portfolio work they expect. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.

Compare ux design programs enrolling now:

Licensing and Credentials in Iowa

UX design is not licensed and has no required certification. The case-study portfolio is the credential employers screen on, and the degree’s value is research method, critique and the portfolio built under supervision.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with target employers on the portfolio work they expect that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 1 school within 43 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 1 of them carries a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Grand View University

Des Moines, IA 42.7 miles away BOC Score 51.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 54.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 85
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,521 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What Web and Digital Interface Designers Earn in Iowa

Web and Digital Interface Designers in Iowa earn a median $69,060 per year, below the national median of $104,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

UX Design Pay and Employment in Iowa at a Glance

MetricIowaNationalSource
Median annual wage$69,060$104,000BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$42,140$53,750BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$48,330$73,290BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$84,220$158,820BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$108,160$201,550BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment670113,330BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient0.591.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state7.0%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Iowa Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Iowa median of $69,060 sits below the national median of $104,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 0.59 puts Iowa below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Iowa

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Des Moines$75,680210
Cedar Rapids$74,44060
Davenport$68,68040
Dubuque$67,90040

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. UX employment concentrates in technology and product hubs, and a substantial share of roles are remote-eligible.

Web and Digital Interface Designers Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), web and digital interface designers wages in Iowa vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Omaha380$71,210$75,140$48,940$104,270
Des Moines-West Des Moines210$75,680$78,730$39,730$129,570
Cedar Rapids60$74,440$77,010$47,490$108,160
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island40$68,680$72,740$37,400$117,540
Dubuque40$67,900$77,680$34,620$134,320
Iowa City30N/AN/AN/AN/A

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Iowa Metro Areas With Published Data

Des Moines


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do web and digital interface designers make in Iowa?

The median annual wage for web and digital interface designers in Iowa is $69,060, below the national median of $104,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $48,330 at the 25th percentile to $84,220 at the 75th.

How many web and digital interface designers work in Iowa?

Iowa holds about 670 UX designer jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 113,330, and BLS projects about 9,100 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a UX designer in Iowa?

UX design is not licensed and has no required certification. The case-study portfolio is the credential employers screen on, and the degree's value is research method, critique and the portfolio built under supervision. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with target employers on the portfolio work they expect before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a UX design bachelor's or master's online while working in Iowa?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies target employers on the portfolio work they expect.

What is the highest-paying area of Iowa for web and digital interface designers?

Among Iowa metro areas with published data, Des Moines reports the highest median at $75,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Iowa a good state for web and digital interface designers?

On pay, the state median of $69,060 sits below the national $104,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.59 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Web and Digital Interface Designers (SOC 15-1255), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.