University of Dubuque — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Dubuque charges a net price of $23,386/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $93,544. Graduates earn a median $51,190 ten years after entry, $2,830/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 33.1 years — a 20-year net return of -$36,944, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Dubuque's 33.1-year payback ranks #1,144 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 11% of them, and #24 of 47 in Iowa.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $23,386/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $93,544 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $51,190 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $2,830/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,750 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 33.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$36,944 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Dubuque's own numbers. Net price $23,386 × 4 years = $93,544 total. Median earnings $51,190 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $2,830 a year of premium. $93,544 ÷ $2,830 = 33.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$36,944. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Dubuque students graduate with?
A median $25,750 in federal loans among completers, or 50% of the $51,190 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Dubuque students graduate?
40% finish their degree — 60% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $93,544 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $233,860 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Dubuque expensive compared with other Iowa colleges?
Its $23,386 net price runs $4,797 above the $18,589 median across the 47 Iowa colleges we profile, or $19,188 more across the full degree.