Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Clarke University #1007 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Clarke University in the 59.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Clarke University #597 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Clarke University's Azimuth ranking reflects strong return on investment and earnings outcomes relative to cost paid. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 59.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Clarke University #1007 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Dubuque, IA, Clarke University enrolls roughly 742 undergraduates. Retention is 67.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 56.1%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where Clarke University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Clarke University #597 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,490, and they earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Clarke University in the 59.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in Business and related fields drives this competitive financial outcome. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Clarke University sits in the 31.2 percentile for access and the 24.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the pricing and enrollment patterns typical of private liberal arts institutions. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 31.8 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students who qualify for need-based aid, Clarke University commits to meeting demonstrated financial need, though the sticker price remains a meaningful consideration for families without substantial aid eligibility.
Clarke University's published cost of attendance is $55,782. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $23,405, middle-income families pay around $22,645, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,784. Azimuth ranks Clarke University #1081 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Clarke University uses need-based financial aid to bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and Clarke works with families to construct aid packages that reflect demonstrated financial need. The difference between published cost of attendance and net price reflects the net price illusion — sticker price alone does not reflect what most students pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,717, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $33,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,490, median federal debt of $26,717 projects to a monthly payment of about $302 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Clarke University is a strong fit for students seeking a private nonprofit college experience in IA with a focus on Business and related applied fields. The university balances academic focus with regional career pathways, making it particularly well-suited for students planning to build careers in Midwest. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $59,490, placing Clarke University in the 44.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 59.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a mix of traditional and first-generation students — 29.4% of undergraduates are first-generation — with a 36.7% Pell Grant recipient share. The published cost of attendance is $24,784, though need-based aid can meaningfully reduce this for qualifying students. Fit depends on program alignment and regional career goals. Clarke University's strongest outcomes cluster in Business fields, which represent 22% of degree output. Students whose interests align with these areas and who value Midwest's job market will find a focused pathway with solid returns.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Clarke University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Clarke University's published cost of attendance is $55,782. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $23,405, middle-income families pay around $22,645, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,784.
Azimuth ranks Clarke University #1081 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Clarke University uses need-based financial aid to bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply using the FAFSA, and Clarke works with families to construct aid packages that reflect demonstrated financial need. The difference between published cost of attendance and net price reflects the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) — sticker price alone does not reflect what most students pay.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,717, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $33,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,490, median federal debt of $26,717 projects to a monthly payment of about $302 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Clarke University earn median 4-year earnings of $59,490, placing Clarke University in the 44.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Clarke University in the 59.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Clarke University #597 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 40 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $75,920, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 25 students with median 4-year earnings of $54,384, while Kinesiology and $42,853 round out the institution's core professional pipeline.
These programs reflect Clarke University's concentration in Business, which anchors both enrollment scale and graduate earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
40 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
16 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
8 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
6 graduates
Psychology, General
25 graduates
Clarke University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts university with applied career focus. Business Administration is the largest program with 40 graduates, followed by Psychology, General, Kinesiology, Teacher Education, and Nursing.
Across 9 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied professional fields.
Business Administration leads with median earnings of $75,920 four years after enrollment, followed by Nursing at $74,114, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $73,295, Psychology, General at $54,384, and Teacher Education at $48,048. The concentration in Business — representing 22% of graduates — aligns with the institution's positioning as a career-oriented private university where students pursue direct pathways into professional employment.
Several of these programs represent high-mobility fields where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Clarke University's dominant program families align with regional and national employment demand in professional and business sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pfeiffer University Similar quality tier (#28202 ranked) | NC | 96% | $51,562 | #28202 | Compare |
Morningside University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28197 ranked) | IA | 71% | $55,494 | #28197 | Compare |
University Of Evansville Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28195 ranked) | IN | 78% | $53,770 | #28195 | Compare |
Reed College Similar quality tier (#28194 ranked) | OR | 25% | $62,927 | #28194 | Compare |
Alverno College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28204 ranked) | WI | 86% | $53,145 | #28204 | Compare |
