Among Iowa’s post-secondary institutions in 2024, Iowa State University ranked second in average coaching salaries, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The data indicates that Iowa State University offered an average coaching salary of $804,187, with the top individual salary reaching $1.7 million.
The University of Iowa led the state in average coaching salary in 2024, providing an average of $908,280.
In 2024, the average salary for coaches at Iowa’s post-secondary schools was $78,169, marking an 11.6% rise from the previous year’s average of $70,070.
A Knight Commission report projects that within a decade, some Power 5 football coaches will earn more than their schools spend on scholarships and medical care for all athletes. The study estimates more than $1 billion in new annual revenue from the expanded College Football Playoff and media rights deals. By 2032, nearly half of public Power 5 schools could reach this ‘crossover point.’
Incomplete data provided by post-secondary institutions can sometimes skew salary data.
| Institution | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| The University of Iowa | $908,280 |
| Iowa State University | $804,187 |
| The University of Northern Iowa | $139,211 |
| Drake University | $131,861 |
| Ellsworth Community College | $62,998 |
| The University of Dubuque | $57,893 |
| Upper Iowa University | $56,776 |
| Indian Hills Community College | $50,697 |
| Cornell College | $50,499 |
| Morningside University | $46,841 |
Information in this story was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education. The source data can be found here.
