Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 41.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 41.5%
- Retention Rate
- 59.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $52,766
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 49.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,005 | $39,872 |
| Public Administration. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,781 | $21,155 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $53,984 | $50,069 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,294 | $26,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $44,170 | $26,284 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $43,054 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $41,193 | $17,586 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $41,193 | $29,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $40,768 | $25,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $40,467 | $48,284 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $40,089 | $30,701 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $39,927 | $28,939 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $39,009 | $23,274 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,992 | $27,292 |
Outcomes Overview
Upper Iowa graduates earn a median salary of $52,766 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-income ratio of 47% based on typical debt loads of $25,000. Monthly loan payments of $265 consume about 6% of gross income, which sits below the recommended 10% threshold for manageable debt. The school's strong emphasis on business, criminal justice, and education programs feeds graduates into stable career tracks in Iowa's government sector and regional businesses. With a 95.5% employment rate and nearly half of borrowers successfully repaying loans, UIU delivers practical career preparation. The financial return represents an average investment for students seeking accessible education in rural Iowa.