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Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3198

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrban

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Clarke University is a private institution in Dubuque with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1060, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 782 undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

55% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,396 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $20,068.

Established
1843
Mascot
Cutlass T. Crusader
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

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68%Acceptance
1060SAT Avg
782Students
10:1Student:Faculty
55%Grad Rate
$55,396Earnings 10yr
$20,068Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate68.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1060

Reading & WritingMid: 505
480525
MathMid: 505
410520

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 21
1826

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$39,600
Room & Board$11,000
Books & Supplies$1,160
Total Cost of Attendance$52,899
Average Net Price$20,068
Median Debt at Graduation$26,717
Monthly Payment (10yr)$283

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$23,570
$30–48K$23,640
$48–75K$22,569
$75–110K$26,435
$110K+$10,870

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

28.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

7

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (45)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

67%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
782
Gender Split
47% / 53%
Women / Men
First Generation
29%
Pell Grant Recipients
36%

Race & Ethnicity

White 54%
Black 14%
Hispanic 12%
Asian 2%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 10%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate54.9%
Freshman Retention67.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$49,157
10 Years$55,396

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Pride

BasketballCollege basketball

History & Fun Facts

  • History Postcard showing the campus before the fire What is now known as Clarke University was established in 1843 as St.
  • It was one of the first such schools for women built west of the Mississippi River.
  • Mary's moved to its present location atop Dubuque's Seminary Hill (Clarke Drive) and was renamed Mount St.
  • The college became a liberal arts school in 1901, and the first bachelor's degree was awarded in 1904.
  • Joseph was chartered by the state of Iowa, becoming a four-year college by 1913.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

96Average

Estimated from IA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Milwaukeepop. 570K
146 mi(253 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
163 mi(283 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
214 mi(371 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MKE Milwaukee145 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare147 mi
MSP Minneapolis-St Paul207 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA999 mi · ~28h 52m drive
New York, NY869 mi · ~25h 6m drive
Hartford, CT923 mi · ~26h 40m drive
Providence, RI986 mi · ~28h 29m drive
Albany, NY860 mi · ~24h 51m drive
Syracuse, NY738 mi · ~21h 19m drive
Rochester, NY664 mi · ~19h 11m drive
Buffalo, NY600 mi · ~17h 20m drive
Philadelphia, PA825 mi · ~23h 50m drive
Pittsburgh, PA571 mi · ~16h 30m drive
Harrisburg, PA731 mi · ~21h 7m drive
Newark, NJ861 mi · ~24h 52m drive
Washington, DC756 mi · ~21h 50m drive
Baltimore, MD767 mi · ~22h 9m drive
Atlanta, GA695 mi · ~20h 5m drive
Charlotte, NC730 mi · ~21h 5m drive
Raleigh, NC795 mi · ~22h 58m drive
Miami, FL1301 mi · ~37h 35m drive
Orlando, FL1097 mi · ~31h 41m drive
Tampa, FL1107 mi · ~31h 59m drive
Nashville, TN486 mi · ~14h 2m drive
New Orleans, LA868 mi · ~25h 5m drive
Richmond, VA780 mi · ~22h 32m drive
Chicago, IL163 mi · ~4h 43m drive
Detroit, MI390 mi · ~11h 16m drive
Minneapolis, MN214 mi · ~6h 11m drive
St. Louis, MO269 mi · ~7h 46m drive
Kansas City, MO311 mi · ~8h 59m drive
Indianapolis, IN302 mi · ~8h 43m drive
Columbus, OH437 mi · ~12h 37m drive
Cleveland, OH467 mi · ~13h 29m drive
Milwaukee, WI146 mi · ~4h 13m drive
Dallas, TX750 mi · ~21h 40m drive
Houston, TX918 mi · ~26h 31m drive
Austin, TX932 mi · ~26h 55m drive
San Antonio, TX1003 mi · ~28h 59m drive
Los Angeles, CA1596 mi · ~46h 6m drive
San Francisco, CA1697 mi · ~49h 1m drive
San Diego, CA1590 mi · ~45h 56m drive
Seattle, WA1572 mi · ~45h 25m drive
Portland, OR1592 mi · ~45h 59m drive
Denver, CO767 mi · ~22h 9m drive
Phoenix, AZ1317 mi · ~38h 3m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1099 mi · ~31h 45m drive
Honolulu, HI4090 mi · ~118h 9m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Clarke University Application Checklist

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