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Clarke University
Most applicants get into Clarke University — 71.8% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Clarke University sits in Dubuque proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. The school maintains its Roman Catholic affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Business Administration, Management and Operations, where graduates median $75,920 four years out. Faculty pay averages $82,104 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 742 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 67.3% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 890 and 1045 — below the IA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Clarke University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Clarke University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 890–1045 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Clarke University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 480 | 490 | 525 |
| SAT Math | 410 | 490 | 520 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 22 | 26 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Clarke University received 3,087 applications and admitted 2,104 (68.2%), with 199 enrolling.
How Clarke University compares
| Clarke University | Iowa median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 71.8% | 80.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $40,910 | $36,684 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $55,396 | $55,396 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Clarke University student earns $55,396 — 0% above the Iowa median of $55,396 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Clarke University lists tuition at $40,910 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Clarke University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $40,910 as the ceiling, not the bill.
With 742 undergraduates, Clarke University is small enough that class size and faculty access are structural, not marketing claims.
56.1% graduate within six years. Roughly 44% don't — ask a Clarke University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Clarke University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $75,920 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $74,114 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $73,295 |
| Psychology, General | $54,384 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $48,048 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $42,853 |
Median earnings for these 6 Clarke University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $55,396 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 25 additional Clarke University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Clarke University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 890–1045 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 71.8% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Clarke University's acceptance rate?
68.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 2,104 admitted from 3,087 applicants.
How much does Clarke University cost?
At Clarke University, published tuition is $40,910 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Clarke University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Clarke University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $55,396 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Iowa
- Coe College — 64% admitted
- Cornell College — 79.9% admitted
- Dordt University — 68.5% admitted
- Buena Vista University — 77.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.