Clarke University
Dubuque, Iowa · Private Nonprofit · 71.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 48/100 · Below Average Value
Clarke University scores 48 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. Median 6-year earnings of $39,700 against a $24,479 net price produce an 11.7-year payback period and a 0.673 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 56.1% completion rate is below average. Clarke is a small (742 students) Dominican Catholic institution in Dubuque, Iowa. The repayment rate of 82.7% is above average — graduates who finish are managing their debt reasonably well. Registered Nursing (19 graduates, $62,676 year-one, ROI grade B) is the strongest program. Business Administration (32 graduates, $38,921 year-one, ROI grade C) is the largest program with full data. Kinesiology (24 graduates, $31,013 year-one, ROI grade D) and Psychology (22 graduates, $26,714 year-one, ROI grade D) are weaker performers. The $26,717 median debt is near the Stafford loan cap, indicating most students are borrowing near maximum federal limits. The 56.1% completion rate combined with $24,479 net price creates meaningful financial risk for the large share of students who do not graduate.
Clarke University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $40,910/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $40,910/yr |
| Average net price | $24,479/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $97,916 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,396 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,717 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $283 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 56.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 742 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Clarke University is $40,910/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $24,479/year, or roughly $97,916 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $23,405/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,784/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,717 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $283 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,396 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.67 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,405 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,543 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,645 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,890 |
| $110,001+ | $24,784 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $23,405 per year at Clarke. Four-year cost around $93,600 against $39,700 median 6-year earnings is a poor financial outcome. Low-income students face the highest risk: $93k in total cost against $40k annual earnings and a 56.1% completion rate means a significant share will have debt without a degree. Nursing enrollment is the best financial path for this group.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $22,645, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $27,890. Unusually, the $48,001-75,000 bracket pays slightly less than the $30,001-48,000 bracket ($22,543), suggesting an income-schedule quirk in the aid formula. Four-year costs of $91,000-$112,000 are significant against these earnings. Middle-income families should model specific program outcomes before committing.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $24,784 per year. The four-year cost around $99,000 is close to the net price paid by lower-income brackets — Clarke's aid formula produces relatively compressed net prices across income bands. Full-pay families can access better-outcome institutions for similar or lower cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Clarke University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $75,920 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $42,853 | D |
| Psychology | $54,384 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $74,114 | B |
| Teacher Education | $48,048 | C |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $73,295 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Clarke's strongest program: 19 graduates, $62,676 year-one, $74,114 at year four, ROI grade B, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.431 with $27,000 median debt. Dubuque-area nursing wages are lower than major metro markets, which explains the $63k year-one figure versus $70k+ at urban schools. The B grade reflects acceptable debt-to-earnings for a regional private nursing program. Students who complete nursing at Clarke enter the regional Iowa/Wisconsin healthcare market with reliable employment.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest program at 32 graduates, $38,921 year-one, $75,920 at year four, C ROI grade, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.694 with $27,000 median debt. The year-four trajectory to $75k is strong for a small Iowa private but takes four years to materialize. Year-one of $39k against $27,000 debt at a private institution is a marginal start. The multi-year trajectory suggests graduate programs or career advancement rather than immediate compensation growth.
Psychology
Psychology shows 22 graduates with a D ROI grade: $26,714 year-one, $54,384 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.992 with $26,500 median debt. Near-parity between year-one earnings and debt load is a difficult financial position. The four-year trajectory to $54k is reasonable but takes four years of career advancement to reach. Psychology at Clarke, as at most small privates, is a graduate school pipeline; standalone employment outcomes at this price are financially stressful.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 78.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 77.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 81.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 71.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 470-590 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 430-570 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 16-24 |
| Enrollment | 742 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,842 |
Clarke admits 71.8% of applicants. SAT 470-590 Math and 430-570 Reading are broad ranges. ACT 16-24 composite describes a wide academic band. Admission is generally accessible. The 56.1% completion rate is the most important number for prospective students: more than four in ten who start do not finish, and this should inform decisions about enrollment readiness and support needs.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Clarke's peer set includes Briar Cliff University, Buena Vista University, Heritage University, Cleary University, and Franklin College. Among small Catholic/private Iowa colleges, Clarke's Dominican affiliation, Dubuque location, and nursing program distinguish it. Briar Cliff (also Iowa, also Catholic, similar size) is a direct peer. Both face the same regional market constraints and small-college economics. Clarke's repayment rate (82.7%) is stronger than most peers at similar completion rates, suggesting those who do graduate are managing their finances reasonably.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke University (this school) | 48 | $24,479 | $55,396 |
| Heritage University | 51 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| Cleary University | 49 | $22,143 | $54,186 |
| Franklin College | 48 | $22,855 | $55,376 |
| Briar Cliff University | 46 | $23,907 | $54,475 |
| Buena Vista University | 39 | $18,846 | $49,156 |
Who Thrives Here
Clarke admits 71.8% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 470-590 Math and 430-570 Reading; ACT composite 16-24. Enrollment is 742. The Pell grant rate of 36.7% indicates substantial lower-income enrollment. Clarke is a Dominican Catholic liberal arts university serving primarily Iowa and Wisconsin students. The small size creates close faculty-student relationships. The ACT 25th percentile of 16 and Reading SAT 25th percentile of 430 indicate broadly open academic access. Students enrolling in nursing have the clearest financial path; students in arts, kinesiology, or social sciences face weak earnings against significant debt.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Clarke University is mixed. At $24,479 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $55,396 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.7 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $26,717 against $55,396 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.