Upper Iowa University
#2 Best Business Colleges in Iowa- Graduation Rate
- 38% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,766 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,942 D+
- 22% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.7 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Business Colleges in Iowa.
Every $1 spent returns $13.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,067,649.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 29% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 38% — 33% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,994
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, Health Professions
Why students choose Upper Iowa University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,942 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,766 ten years after enrolling — 29% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 51% nationally for mobility.
See mobility →Overview
Upper Iowa University has an acceptance rate of 96%, which makes it one of the most accessible private universities in the country. This high acceptance rate means that nearly all applicants can find a place at the university, appealing to a diverse range of students.
According to Opportunity Insights data, the school does not report a mobility rate, but it’s essential to consider the economic context. Graduates earn a median income of $52,766 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure provides insight into potential career outcomes for students, although the relatively low graduation rate of 38% indicates challenges in student retention.
The financial aspects of attending Upper Iowa are significant. The net price for students is $20,942, and the median debt upon graduation is $25,000. This means students should carefully evaluate their financial commitments. Those who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds and pursue degrees in business, psychology, education, and health professions, aligning with the university's strengths.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Upper Iowa University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Upper Iowa University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Fayette, Iowa, Upper Iowa University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- SAT Average
- 1090
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- ACT Range
- 17–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,035
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
- Applicants
- 1,405
- Admitted
- 762
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Upper Iowa University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Upper Iowa University is $19,475, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,942. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,715 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $19,475
- Out-of-State
- $19,475
- Avg Net Price
- $20,942
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,715
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $22,774
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,720
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,805
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Upper Iowa University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Upper Iowa University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $52,766, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,776
- 8 Years
- $51,160
- 10 Years
- $52,766
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (80)
- 24%
- 100% (80)
- 24%
- 100% (80)
- 24%
- 100% (80)
- 24%
How Upper Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Upper Iowa University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Upper Iowa University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,942/year ($83,768 total). Graduates earn $52,766 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,151,417 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,067,649 (13.7× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 38% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,768
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,151,417
- Net Return
- $1,067,649
- ROI Multiple
- 13.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,942
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Upper Iowa University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Upper Iowa University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.44%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $62,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.44%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $84,236
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,722,998
- Investment Income
- $-2,387,847
Top Programs
The fields Upper Iowa University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 33% $55,006 early-career
- Psychology 14% $42,081 early-career
- Education 11% $48,440 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $71,031 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $47,633 early-career
- Humanities 6%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Upper Iowa University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Upper Iowa University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Fayette, Iowa, Upper Iowa University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,090. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Upper Iowa University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Upper Iowa University is $19,475, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,942. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,715 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Upper Iowa University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $52,766, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Upper Iowa University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Upper Iowa University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.44%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $62,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Upper Iowa University.
- Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · Close peer50% grad $50,970 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IA · Close peer55% grad $52,824 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- St. Thomas UniversityMiami Gardens, FL · Close peer46% grad $54,272 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oklahoma Christian UniversityEdmond, OK · Close peer55% grad $49,203 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Eastern Oregon UniversityLa Grande, OR · Close peer40% grad $50,112 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wingate UniversityWingate, NC · Close peer47% grad $52,649 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
