Outgoing Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen says a college degree still pays off for graduates, pushing back on growing skepticism about higher education costs.
Wintersteen, who is set to retire January 2 after a career at Iowa State that began in 1979, became the university’s first female president in 2017. As she prepares to step down, she argues that the price of college remains a worthwhile investment for students.
She points to job placement and earnings data as evidence. Wintersteen says Iowa State repeatedly sees strong returns for graduates through high employment rates and competitive starting salaries.
At the same time, she worries more students aren’t enrolling—especially those who could help address workforce shortages in high-demand fields. Wintersteen says Iowa and the country need more graduates in areas like biomedical and electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, precision agriculture, and animal science.
She also highlighted steps the university has taken to reduce financial burdens. Wintersteen says about three-quarters of Iowa State students receive private-donor scholarships, and the school is working to expand that support. She adds that 44% of students finish their degrees without any debt, while the typical student loan balance for graduates is around $28,000 to $29,000. Iowa State’s student-loan default rate, she says, remains low.
Wintersteen argues that graduates’ ability to secure solid jobs and repay loans reinforces her view that college costs are justified. She frames it as an investment in long-term opportunity, saying there are few other ways to spend that kind of money with such lasting benefits.
To help students borrow responsibly, Wintersteen says Iowa State requires all students who take out loans to complete a financial education program. Students must sign documentation confirming they understand the terms of borrowing and their obligation to repay.
Wintersteen’s retirement takes effect at the start of the new year, closing out more than four decades at the university.
