Head-to-head comparison
Upper Iowa University vs University of Dubuque: which has better ROI?
Option A Fayette, IA
Upper Iowa University
- Net price / year
- $20,942
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,766
- Payback
- 19 yrs
Option B Dubuque, IA
University of Dubuque
- Net price / year
- $23,386
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,190
- Payback
- 33.1 yrs
Upper Iowa University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,768 in 19 years versus 33.1 years at University of Dubuque, on median earnings of $52,766 vs $51,190 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Upper Iowa University | University of Dubuque |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,942 | $23,386 |
| Total net cost | $83,768 | $93,544 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,766 | $51,190 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $25,750 |
| Payback | 19 yrs | 33.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $4,352 | -$36,944 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Upper Iowa University or University of Dubuque?
Upper Iowa University, at $20,942 a year after aid versus $23,386 — a gap of $2,444 a year, or $9,776 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Upper Iowa University or University of Dubuque graduates earn more?
Upper Iowa University graduates report a median $52,766 ten years after entry, $1,576 more than the $51,190 at University of Dubuque. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Upper Iowa University or University of Dubuque?
Upper Iowa University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,750 at University of Dubuque, a difference of $750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at University of Dubuque, against 34% at Upper Iowa University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.