Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Upper Iowa University #1100 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,293 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Upper Iowa University in the 67.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Upper Iowa University #639 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Upper Iowa University #1100 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 26.0 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Fayette, Iowa, Upper Iowa University enrolls roughly 1,994 undergraduates. Retention is 67.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 33.9%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Where Upper Iowa University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Upper Iowa University #639 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 56.9 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,837, placing Upper Iowa University in the 39.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $2,293 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Upper Iowa University in the 67.6 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 supports graduates into stable, well-paying careers. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Upper Iowa University sits in the 20.8 percentile for access and the 50.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. With 31.8% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 45.1% first-generation college students, the institution serves a meaningful share of lower-income learners. Mobility outcomes — how well low-income and first-generation graduates fare in the labor market — sit in the 3.1 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families weighing affordability and debt service, Financial GPS tool offers personalized projections by major and earnings scenario.
Upper Iowa University's published cost of attendance is $34,022. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $17,715; middle-income families pay around $18,720; higher-income families pay approximately $23,805. Azimuth ranks Upper Iowa University #712 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. Upper Iowa participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The aid structure combines need-based grants with loans and work-study opportunities. Financial aid packages typically reduce the sticker price substantially for lower-income students, though the overall affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,000; 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 $58,837, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Upper Iowa University is a strong fit for students drawn to business and related applied fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Fayette, IA. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $58,837, placing Upper Iowa University in the 39.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,293 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 67.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 31.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 45.1% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $23,805, and median federal debt at graduation is $25,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Business (29% of degrees), and earnings outcomes vary by field. Students whose interests align with business and related applied areas will find the strongest outcomes.
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
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This is the Upper Iowa 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.
Upper Iowa University's published cost of attendance is $34,022. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels.
Low-income families pay approximately $17,715; middle-income families pay around $18,720; higher-income families pay approximately $23,805. Azimuth ranks Upper Iowa University #712 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. Upper Iowa participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The aid structure combines need-based grants with loans and work-study opportunities.
Financial aid packages typically reduce the sticker price substantially for lower-income students, though the overall affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,000; 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 $58,837, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 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 Upper Iowa University earn median 4-year earnings of $58,837, placing Upper Iowa University in the 39.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,293 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Upper Iowa University in the 67.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Upper Iowa University #639 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Upper Iowa University's concentration in Business.
Business Administration is the largest program with 162 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $65,858, at 1.0× the national benchmark for the field. The Teacher Education program graduates 129 students earning median 4-year earnings of $45,945, and Nursing graduates 115 with median 4-year earnings of $76,345.
These programs anchor Upper Iowa University's return profile and drive the institution's long-term financial outcomes for graduates entering the workforce in IA.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
115 graduates
Public Administration
23 graduates
Health and Medical Administrative Services
21 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
162 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
38 graduates
Upper Iowa University's program mix centers on Business, reflecting the institution's applied-professional orientation. The largest programs by enrollment are Business Administration with 162 graduates, followed by Teacher Education with 129 graduates, Nursing with 115 graduates, Psychology, General with 107 graduates, and Human Services, General with 70 graduates.
Across 26 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold among nonprofit four-year institutions. The program portfolio emphasizes Business at 29%, Education at 20%, and Social Sciences at 7%, creating a practical, workforce-aligned signature.
Many of these programs are direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter the labor market immediately. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Upper Iowa University's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Westmont College Similar quality tier (#29480 ranked) | CA | 77% | $64,778 | #29480 | Compare |
Rocky Mountain College Similar quality tier (#29477 ranked) | MT | 70% | $49,036 | #29477 | Compare |
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Similar quality tier (#29483 ranked) | RI | 91% | $43,418 | #29483 | Compare |
Huntington University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29998 ranked) | IN | 76% | $46,672 | #29998 | Compare |
Otterbein University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29471 ranked) | OH | 85% | $53,313 | #29471 | Compare |
