Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Dubuque #1019 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,598, placing University of Dubuque in the 44.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Dubuque sits in the 79.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks University of Dubuque #1019 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Dubuque, IA, University of Dubuque enrolls roughly 1,440 undergraduates. Retention is 76.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 40.1%, reflecting solid completion rates for a master's institution. Where University of Dubuque performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Dubuque #555 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,598, and University of Dubuque sits in the 79.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — with Business as the dominant field — aligns well with employer demand and contributes to solid early-career financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Dubuque sits in the 34.3 percentile for access and the 35.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the institution's positioning as a tuition-dependent private college with limited need-based aid reach. Mobility outcomes sit in the 7.1 percentile, indicating moderate upward movement for graduates relative to peer institutions. For prospective students prioritizing long-term earnings and career outcomes over lowest sticker price, University of Dubuque offers a focused, business-oriented path with competitive early-career returns.
University of Dubuque's published cost of attendance is $53,806. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $18,106, middle-income families pay around $19,480, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,908. Azimuth ranks University of Dubuque #925 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. As a public research university, University of Dubuque structures aid through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university works to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay through a combination of grants and scholarships. The affordability rank reflects both the net-price structure and the long-term debt load graduates carry, which together shape the post-graduation financial picture. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,000; 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 $59,598, median federal debt of $25,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $291 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Dubuque is a strong fit for students seeking a private nonprofit university experience in IA with a focus on Business and related fields. Azimuth ranks University of Dubuque #1019 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,598, placing University of Dubuque in the 44.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,363 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Dubuque in the 79.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 39.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 36.1% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place University of Dubuque in the 15.0 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 88.6% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
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 University Of Dubuque hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Air Transportation
73 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
18 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
17 graduates
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
12 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
17 graduates
University of Dubuque's program mix is anchored in business, engineering, and applied professional fields—a portfolio shaped by the institution's land-grant identity and Maine's regional economy. Air Transportation is the largest program with 73 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Biology, General, and Kinesiology.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 388 students annually, the institution's strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied fields aligned with regional workforce demand. The highest-earning programs at University of Dubuque reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter the labor market immediately.
Air Transportation leads with median earnings of $86,081 four years after enrollment, followed by Nursing at $73,710, Human Resources Management and Services at $64,648, Accounting at $63,082, and Business Administration at $62,918. These earnings patterns reflect University of Dubuque's concentration in Business and engineering fields, where employer recruitment in Maine and the broader Northeast remains steady.
The program-mix signature emphasizes applied professional preparation over research-intensive or graduate-school-dependent pathways. Business represents 27% of graduates, Education represents 6%, and Social Sciences represents 1%, together anchoring the institution's economic profile.
This concentration in applied fields aligns with the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/), where regional employers in healthcare, education, and skilled trades maintain consistent hiring demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dakota Wesleyan University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28216 ranked) | SD | 73% | $53,728 | #28216 | Compare |
New England Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#28212 ranked) | RI | 67% | $48,684 | #28212 | Compare |
The Catholic University Of America Similar quality tier (#28224 ranked) | DC | 83% | $73,250 | #28224 | Compare |
University Of Sioux Falls Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28225 ranked) | SD | 83% | $54,521 | #28225 | Compare |
Curry College Similar quality tier (#28211 ranked) | MA | 88% | $54,400 | #28211 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Dubuque's published cost of attendance is $53,806. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $18,106, middle-income families pay around $19,480, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,908.
Azimuth ranks University of Dubuque #925 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.
As a public research university, University of Dubuque structures aid through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university works to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay through a combination of grants and scholarships.
The affordability rank reflects both the net-price structure and the long-term debt load graduates carry, which together shape the post-graduation financial picture. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,000; 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 $59,598, median federal debt of $25,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $291 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 University of Dubuque earn median 4-year earnings of $59,598, placing the institution in the 44.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Dubuque sits in the 79.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Dubuque #555 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of Dubuque's concentration in business and professional fields.
Air Transportation is the largest program with 73 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $86,081, at 1.0x the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 68 students earning median 4-year earnings of $62,918.
The Criminal Justice program graduates 28 students earning median 4-year earnings of $52,578. Kinesiology rounds out the top programs with 19 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $45,721.
This program mix supports stable career pathways across University of Dubuque's undergraduate population.
