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University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA · Private Nonprofit

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86.9%
Acceptance (Fall 2023)
1060
SAT
$45,780
Sticker Price
$26,807
Net Price*
$47,629
Earnings 10 yrs after enrolling
8.5 yrs
Payback
1,560
Applicants

*Net price for families earning $48k–$75k. See all income brackets →

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Should I apply to University of Dubuque?

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What is University of Dubuque's acceptance rate?

Up 13.9 percentage points since 2018

With a 86.9% acceptance rate, University of Dubuque is considered accessible. The school has become slightly less competitive over the past five years. Applicants should focus on demonstrating strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and authentic personal essays to stand out in the applicant pool.

How many students apply to University of Dubuque?

University of Dubuque received 1,560 applications in 2023, down 41% since 2018. High application volume means admissions officers spend limited time per application—typically 8-15 minutes. Make every word count in your essays and ensure your application materials are error-free.

Applications
Admitted

How many admitted students enroll?

The yield rate of 24% is typical for a school of this caliber. Yield rate measures how many admitted students actually enroll—a key indicator of how desirable students find the school. Demonstrating genuine interest through campus visits, attending info sessions, and writing specific "Why Us" essays can improve your chances.

What are the most popular majors at University of Dubuque?

Air Transportation leads as the most popular major at University of Dubuque. Your intended major can affect admission chances—some programs are more competitive than others. Research department-specific requirements, faculty research, and career outcomes when choosing your major. Consider how your academic interests align with the school's strengths.

How have majors changed over time?

Degrees awarded by major, 2015–2024

How has tuition changed at University of Dubuque?

Tuition has increased by 45% since 2015. Total cost of attendance (including fees and room & board) has grown 40% from $32,650 to $45,780.

Tuition Total Cost

How much do University of Dubuque graduates earn by major?

Graduates in Air Transportation earn among the highest salaries, with median earnings of $43,798 within two years of graduation. Earnings vary significantly by major—STEM and business fields typically offer higher starting salaries, while humanities and arts may have different career trajectories. Consider both passion and practical outcomes when choosing your field of study.

Median two years after graduating, for graduates of each program — not the same measure as the headline earnings figure above, which covers everyone who enrolled, ten years after starting. Source: College Scorecard field-of-study file, June 2026.

Air Transportation $43,798 35 grads
$9,118 $117,766
Registered Nursing, Nursing Ad... $57,318 31 grads
$9,118 $117,766
Human Resources Management and... $42,682 30 grads · small sample
$9,118 $117,766
Accounting and Related Service... $48,432 35 grads
$9,118 $117,766
Business Administration, Manag... $42,682 100 grads
$9,118 $117,766
Teacher Education and Professi... $40,132 20 grads · small sample
$9,118 $117,766
Marketing $39,369
$9,118 $117,766
Criminal Justice and Correctio... $35,701 50 grads
$9,118 $117,766
This school National avg

What do University of Dubuque graduates actually earn?

The median tells one story, but outcomes vary widely. Here's the full range of earnings 10 years after enrollment for graduates of University of Dubuque.

25th: $33,431 Median: $47,629 75th: $65,454
10th: $10,000 90th: $65,100

Earnings range for graduates 10 years after enrollment. The green bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile). Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release.

How do University of Dubuque earnings grow over time?

Median earnings from 1 year after completion through 11 years after enrollment. Early-career earnings show what graduates earn soon after graduating, while later years reflect career growth and advancement.

Do University of Dubuque earnings vary by family income?

Median earnings of graduates grouped by their family income when they enrolled. Research shows family income can influence post-graduation outcomes through networking, unpaid internship access, and career choice flexibility.

Gender earnings gap at University of Dubuque

Median earnings comparison between male and female graduates. The gap reflects differences in major choice, industry, and broader labor market patterns — not necessarily pay discrimination for the same role.

University of Dubuque Admissions Statistics (2015–2023)

Each row shows the admissions cycle for that academic year. Applicants is the total number of students who applied for freshman admission. Admitted shows how many received acceptance letters. Rate is the acceptance rate (admitted ÷ applicants) — lower percentages indicate more selective schools. Yield measures the percentage of admitted students who actually enrolled — a high yield (above 50%) suggests the school is a top choice for admitted students, while lower yields indicate students often choose other options. SAT shows the 25th-75th percentile range, meaning the middle 50% of enrolled students scored within this range. Data is sourced from IPEDS, the federal database where all US colleges report annually.

Year Applicants Admitted Rate Yield
2023 1,560 1,356 86.9% 24.0%
2022 1,579 1,343 85.0% 23.7%
2021 1,905 1,456 76.4% 23.0%
2020 1,844 1,450 78.6% 29.1%
2019 2,054 1,493 72.7% 25.9%
2018 2,666 1,947 73.0% 26.9%
2017 1,761 1,306 74.2% 40.2%
2016 1,662 1,258 75.7% 35.2%
2015 1,457 1,128 77.4% 39.6%

Is University of Dubuque worth it?

Calculate your personal ROI

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Earnings & ROI Range (10yr)
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Optimistic (75th pct) -- --
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Estimates based on College Scorecard averages. Use official calculator →

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What do University of Dubuque graduates earn?

Median Earnings (10 years)
$47,629
Earnings Range (10th - 90th percentile)
$10,000 $47,629 median $65,100

Earnings vary widely: the bottom 10% earn $10,000 while the top 10% earn $65,100. Your outcome depends heavily on major, career path, and individual circumstances.

Median Earnings (6 years)
$40,489
Median Debt
$25,000
6-Year Graduation Rate
45.7%

How much does University of Dubuque cost?

The total cost of attendance at University of Dubuque is approximately $45,780 per year. Remember: sticker price rarely equals actual cost. Most students receive financial aid, and net price varies significantly by family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate before ruling out any option based on cost alone.

Tuition
$34,070
Fees
$1,500
Room & Board
$10,210
Total Cost of Attendance
$45,780

What You'll Actually Pay

Net price is what aided families paid after grants and scholarships, averaged within each income band. Your own cost depends on income, assets and the school's aid policies, so treat these as a floor rather than a quote. Many selective private schools are more affordable than public universities for middle and lower-income families because of generous institutional aid.

$0-30k income $20,342
$30-48k income $22,393
$48-75k income $26,807
$75-110k income $32,124
$110k+ income $35,136
No aid $45,780

These averages cover only students who received federal financial aid — a Pell Grant, a federal loan or work-study. Families who pay their own way are not included, so the higher brackets understate what a full-paying family is billed. The "no aid" row is the published cost of attendance.

Which majors pay the most?

  • Air Transportation $43,798
  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $57,318
  • Human Resources Management and Services $42,682
  • Health/Medical Preparatory Programs N/A
  • Accounting and Related Services $48,432

Who attends University of Dubuque?

University of Dubuque enrolls 1,795 students, with 3% from outside the United States. Women make up 44% of the student body. Campus diversity enriches the educational experience through varied perspectives and backgrounds. Consider how you'll contribute to and benefit from the campus community when crafting your application.

Total Enrollment 1,795
Retention Rate 71%
International 3%
Women 44%
Race/Ethnicity
White 66%
Black 9%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 1%

How much financial aid is available?

92% of students receive some form of financial aid at University of Dubuque. About 40% receive Pell Grants, indicating support for low-income students. Apply for aid regardless of your family's income level—merit scholarships and institutional grants are available to students at various income levels. Never assume you won't qualify.

Receive Grants 92%
Avg: $24,373 free money/year
Pell Grant Recipients 40%
Federal aid for <$60k income families
Have Federal Loans 70%
Avg: $7,721
School's Own Grants 98%
Avg: $22,952 from school funds

How much do professors earn?

Faculty salaries at University of Dubuque are near the national average, reflecting the school's investment in attracting and retaining talented professors. Higher faculty compensation often correlates with stronger research programs, better student mentorship, and more resources for academic departments. Look for opportunities to engage with faculty through research, office hours, and smaller seminars.

This school National avg

Page updated 2026. Admissions and cost figures are the latest IPEDS release (2023); earnings are College Scorecard median 10-year post-enrollment, June 2026 release. Sources: IPEDS, College Scorecard.