Clarke University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
Clarke University is a private nonprofit institution located in Dubuque, Iowa with approximately 782 undergraduate students enrolled. Clarke University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%. The average net price after financial aid is $20,068 per year. The graduation rate is 55%, and the typical graduate earns $44,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Clarke University is a private Catholic university in Dubuque, Iowa, United States. It was founded in 1843 as St. Mary's Female Academy by Mother Mary Frances Clarke, foundress of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the 55% graduation rate and 67% freshman retention suggest a meaningful chunk of students don't finish or leave early, which is worth taking seriously. On the positive side, the average net price of just over $20,000/year and relatively modest median debt of $19,500 make this one of the more affordable private Catholic university options, and the small enrollment of 782 undergrads means personalized attention is genuinely likely. Worth considering if you're drawn to a tight-knit, faith-affiliated community and have a clear plan to stay on track — but ask the admissions office directly about support systems, since the retention numbers suggest some students struggle to find their footing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (782 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Kirkwood Community College
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Eastern Iowa Community College District
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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