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University of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA 1,440 Undergrads 49.5% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$53,806
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$23,386
After Aid
Median Earnings
$59,598
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$23,386
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$59,598Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$51,190Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate49.5%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Warning: The majority of students at this institution do not graduate. Non-completers typically earn significantly less and face higher debt risks.
Average Starting Age22.2
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients40.2%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time87.2%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS75.3%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
88.6%
SAT Avg
1,110
SAT Reading
25th: 490-75th: 610
SAT Math
25th: 490-75th: 610
ACT Composite
25th: 18-75th: 24
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$532k
+$66k
+$48k
Median Cost$23k/yr
+$448k
-$19k
-$36k
Full Cost$54k/yr
+$339k
-$128k
-$146k
ROI Efficiency Metrics⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
38
∞
Median Cost$23k/yr
Never
-43%
Full Cost$54k/yr
Never
-75%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return-47%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-75%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Bachelor's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
BachCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$63,082
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
-$8k
Air Transportation
BachCIP: 4901
Median Debt
$25,375
Earnings (4yr)
$86,081
Natl Median: $85,825
Lifetime Value Added
+$168k
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (5yr)
$62,811
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$20k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$22,000
Earnings (4yr)
$62,918
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
-$10k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,537
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$127k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
BachCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$46,296
Natl Median: $58,894
Lifetime Value Added
-$146k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
BachCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$52,578
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
-$93k
Data Processing
BachCIP: 1103
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $75,978
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$29,685
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$279k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
BachCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,716
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
BachCIP: 5111
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$63,655
Natl Median: $61,911
Lifetime Value Added
-$4k
Human Resources Management and Services
BachCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$26,898
Earnings (4yr)
$64,648
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
+$4k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
BachCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$21,000
Earnings (4yr)
$53,011
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
-$90k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
BachCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$36,560
Natl Median: $55,012
Lifetime Value Added
-$217k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$27,617
Earnings (4yr)
$73,710
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$74k
Religion/Religious Studies
BachCIP: 3802
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,390
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Security Science and Technology
BachCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,805
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$51,512
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$45,721
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$151k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$22,862
Earnings (4yr)
$42,296
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$180k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
BachCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$53,514
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$86k
Visual and Performing Arts, General
BachCIP: 5001
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,688
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Master's Degrees
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
MastCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$102,750
Earnings (4yr)
$135,262
Natl Median: $127,347
Lifetime Value Added
+$504k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$13,362
Earnings (4yr)
$80,776
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$29k
Communication and Media Studies
MastCIP: 0901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,953
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
MastCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $89,981
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Theological and Ministerial Studies
MastCIP: 3906
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$66,039
Natl Median: $61,300
Lifetime Value Added
-$101k
Doctoral Degrees
Theological and Ministerial Studies
DocCIP: 3906
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,982
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.