Fayette, IA · Private University
Is Upper Iowa University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$52,766
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$19,000
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,000
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$76,000
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.78x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
41.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$23,172
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Upper Iowa University graduates earn $7,766 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Upper Iowa University ranked by graduate earnings
147 graduates
29 graduates
241 graduates
31 graduates
17 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Upper Iowa University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Upper Iowa University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Public Administration: $75,905) and the lowest (Design and Applied Arts: $31,122) is $44,783/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Public AdministrationBest ROI | $75,905 | 4.0x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,477 | 3.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,601 | 2.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $55,214 | 2.9x |
| Marketing | $52,947 | 2.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,881 | 2.8x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $48,961 | 2.6x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $48,747 | 2.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,685 | 2.5x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $47,573 | 2.5x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $44,304 | 2.3x |
| Criminology | $44,252 | 2.3x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $43,311 | 2.3x |
| Social Sciences, General | $42,471 | 2.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,066 | 2.2x |
| Human Services, General | $41,928 | 2.2x |
| Psychology, General | $40,524 | 2.1x |
| Design and Applied ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $31,122 | 1.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Upper Iowa University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $52,766 10 years after starting, $7,766 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.