University of Dubuque is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Dubuque, Iowa. It enrolls 1,440 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
53/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes29
Value28
Affordability51
Selectivity29
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 88.6%, University of Dubuque is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
88.6%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
980 – 1220
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
18 – 24
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Dubuque is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
14.2 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Dubuque isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $23,386 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$23,386
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
40%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
70%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$42,095
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,150
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,365
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,700
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$2,750
Total Cost of Attendance
$53,806
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$18,106
$30,001 – $48,000
$19,318
$48,001 – $75,000
$19,480
$75,001 – $110,000
$24,660
Over $110,000
$25,908
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,75010%percentile
$7,75025%percentile
$25,750Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$37,13090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $17,000
↓ $8,750
No Pell $17,070
↓ $8,680
Dependent students $18,500
↓ $7,250
Independent students $14,250
↓ $11,500
Female students $18,710
↓ $7,040
Male students $14,913
↓ $10,837
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,500, less than completers ($25,750), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
43% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Dubuque graduate within six years, and 74% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
43%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
74%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Dubuque earn a median of $51,190 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$51,190
Earning > $25K
82%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$37,100
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$45,600
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$37,000
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$42,500
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$46,300
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $8,500, about 19% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
11.8 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 84% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Dubuque is home to 1,440 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 36% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
1,440
Part-Time
13%
First-Generation
36%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 70.6%1,016
Black 9.0%129
Hispanic 3.8%54
International 2.9%42
Other 1.6%23
Asian 1.4%20
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Dubuque. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityDubuque, Iowa
Housing
Mostly residential911 beds on campus
Adult Learners
15%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
University of Dubuque offers
a varied set of programs:
37 distinct programs across
19 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Dubuque is 11:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
11:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$310M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$73,735
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
90 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
21
23%
$85,787
Associate Professors
31
34%
$74,809
Assistant Professors
37
41%
$66,693
Instructors
1
1%
$47,940
Pros & Cons of University of Dubuque
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Dubuque tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Below-average completion rate
Modest first-year retention
Most students take on federal loans
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Dubuque is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Dubuque
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Dubuque.
Is University of Dubuque hard to get into?
University of Dubuque has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 88.6%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Dubuque?
University of Dubuque has an acceptance rate of 88.6%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Dubuque?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Dubuque scored between 980 and 1220 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Dubuque?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Dubuque scored between 18 and 24 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Dubuque cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Dubuque is $23,386 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Dubuque worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $51,190 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $23,386 per year. That's roughly 2.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Dubuque known for?
University of Dubuque is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Air Transportation, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Dubuque graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Dubuque are $51,190, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Dubuque accredited?
Yes. University of Dubuque is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Dubuque?
University of Dubuque enrolls 1,440 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Dubuque?
University of Dubuque graduates 43% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Dubuque a public or private college?
University of Dubuque is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is University of Dubuque located?
University of Dubuque is located in Dubuque, Iowa.
What programs does University of Dubuque offer?
University of Dubuque offers 37 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Air Transportation, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Dubuque?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Dubuque is 11:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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