Back to Colleges
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA 1,994 Undergrads 49.3% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$34,022
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$20,942
After Aid
Median Earnings
$58,837
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$20,942
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$58,837Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$52,766Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate49.3%
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 Age29.5
Warning: High average starting age indicates non-traditional students with prior work experience, which may inflate the median earnings shown.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients37.6%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time54.8%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS78.0%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
96.5%
SAT Avg
1,090
SAT Reading
25th: -49075th: -
SAT Math
25th: -47075th: -
ACT Composite
25th: 172175th: 23
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
+$526k
+$59k
+$42k
Median Cost$21k/yr
+$451k
-$16k
-$33k
Full Cost$34k/yr
+$404k
-$63k
-$80k
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
39
∞
Median Cost$21k/yr
Never
-44%
Full Cost$34k/yr
Never
-66%
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-25%
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-63%
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.
Associate's Degrees
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$30,822
Earnings (4yr)
$56,511
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
+$73k
Criminology
AssocCIP: 4504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,936
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$18,625
Earnings (4yr)
$52,322
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
+$32k
Psychology, General
AssocCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$26,125
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,288
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Bachelor's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
BachCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$26,284
Earnings (4yr)
$63,645
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
+$5k
Agricultural Business and Management
BachCIP: 0101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,647
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
BachCIP: 5109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,786
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,110
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
+$9k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$26,250
Earnings (4yr)
$65,858
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$22k
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)
-
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Engineering
BachCIP: 1409
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $109,015
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminology
BachCIP: 4504
Median Debt
$30,701
Earnings (4yr)
$56,767
Natl Median: $55,556
Lifetime Value Added
-$50k
Design and Applied Arts
BachCIP: 5004
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (4yr)
$41,109
Natl Median: $51,490
Lifetime Value Added
-$182k
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Finance and Financial Management Services
BachCIP: 5208
Median Debt
$17,586
Earnings (4yr)
$63,736
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$6k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
BachCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$28,939
Earnings (4yr)
$66,931
Natl Median: $58,716
Lifetime Value Added
+$31k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Homeland Security
BachCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,193
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
BachCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$29,125
Earnings (4yr)
$64,706
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
+$13k
Human Services, General
BachCIP: 4400
Median Debt
$28,337
Earnings (4yr)
$48,461
Natl Median: $48,597
Lifetime Value Added
-$119k
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
BachCIP: 1506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,890
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
BachCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Management Information Systems and Services
BachCIP: 5212
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,290
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$54,858
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
-$66k
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
$14,000
Earnings (4yr)
$41,765
Natl Median: $55,012
Lifetime Value Added
-$176k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$25,250
Earnings (4yr)
$50,877
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$99k
Public Administration
BachCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$70,374
Natl Median: $65,093
Lifetime Value Added
+$57k
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
BachCIP: 0909
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,560
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$21,155
Earnings (4yr)
$76,345
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$103k
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
BachCIP: 1609
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Sciences, General
BachCIP: 4501
Median Debt
$23,274
Earnings (4yr)
$57,430
Natl Median: $53,366
Lifetime Value Added
-$45k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Special Education and Teaching
BachCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$27,812
Earnings (4yr)
$49,098
Natl Median: $50,499
Lifetime Value Added
-$114k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$49,002
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$115k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$27,292
Earnings (4yr)
$45,945
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$140k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
BachCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$47,790
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$125k
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
BachCIP: 1314
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,259
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
PB-CertCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,414
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Master's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
MastCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$42,158
Earnings (4yr)
$80,314
Natl Median: $95,833
Lifetime Value Added
+$29k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$39,872
Earnings (4yr)
$94,026
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$149k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$54,686
Earnings (4yr)
$61,526
Natl Median: $65,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$137k
Curriculum and Instruction
MastCIP: 1303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,399
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$46,697
Earnings (4yr)
$57,197
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$177k
Finance and Financial Management Services
MastCIP: 5208
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$82,839
Natl Median: $110,694
Lifetime Value Added
+$51k
Homeland Security
MastCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $96,660
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Resources Management and Services
MastCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$48,284
Earnings (4yr)
$69,986
Natl Median: $83,558
Lifetime Value Added
-$61k
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$50,069
Earnings (4yr)
$70,924
Natl Median: $81,408
Lifetime Value Added
-$53k
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$31,241
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
MastCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,033
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
MastCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $59,916
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$36,911
Earnings (4yr)
$58,558
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
-$164k
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.