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Clarke University

Dubuque, IA·Private·www.clarke.edu/

Campus Identity

NAIAGreek LifePhD Programs

Clarke University is a small private nonprofit university in Dubuque, IA. Approximately 742 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 72% acceptance rate. Spratts Lake is about 13 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 21 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 61/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Clarke University is a small private nonprofit university in Dubuque, IA. Approximately 742 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 72% acceptance rate. Spratts Lake is about 13 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 21 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 61/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

72%
Acceptance Rate
3,394 applications
20
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 16–24
$40,910
2024-25 Tuition
$24,479
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$11,734
Room & Board
19 meals/week
742
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
6%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
56%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity72% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

430520570

SAT Math

470540590

Campus Lifestyle

Clarke University is a under 1,000, urban school with NAIA athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 7 miles from Sundown Mountain Ski and Snowboard Resort.

Athletics

NAIA

HAAC

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Urban setting

Weather

Cold Climate

40°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Clarke University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sundown Mountain Ski and Snowboard Resort, 7 miles away with 6 lifts and 55 skiable acres. All are within 59 miles of campus.

55 skiable acres6 lifts
21 mi away
139 skiable acres10 lifts
32 skiable acres5 lifts

Nearby Lake

Spratts Lake is 13 miles from campus, giving Clarke University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Spratts Lake

Lake access within 12.7 miles

13 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Dubuque, IA

Dubuque has a cool climate, with winters averaging 19°F in Jan and summers peaking around 74°F in Jul.

19°Jan23°Feb35°Mar48°Apr60°May70°Jun74°Jul72°Aug65°Sep52°Oct38°Nov25°Dec

Station: DUBUQUE LOCK AND DAM 11 · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Clarke University in IA earns a composite safety score of 61/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.

61/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety597345
59/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
73/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
45/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$40,910
Fees
$1,130
Room & Board
$11,734
Total
$53,774
App Fee: Free
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week
$24,479avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

42 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
32 grads/yr$75,920
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsProfessional
27 grads/yr
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
24 grads/yr$42,853
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
22 grads/yr$54,384
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's
19 grads/yr$74,114

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Doctoral$100,847
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Doctoral$80,785
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's32 grads$75,920
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's19 grads$74,114
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Bachelor's3 grads$73,295
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's19 grads$72,235
Social Work
Master's16 grads$56,897
Psychology, General
Bachelor's22 grads$54,384
Education, General
Master's6 grads$53,412
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's15 grads$48,048

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Clarke University located?

Clarke University is located in Dubuque, IA. The main campus address is 1550 Clarke Dr, Dubuque, IA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Clarke University?

Clarke University has an acceptance rate of 72%, making it moderately selective. Out of 3,394 applicants, 2,438 were admitted in the most recent year. 742 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Clarke University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Clarke University scored between 16 and 24 on the ACT, with a median of 20. About 7% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Clarke University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Clarke University charges $40,910/year in tuition. Including room and board ($11,734/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $36,870/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $24,479/year — what students actually pay. Use Clarke University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Clarke University?

Clarke University does not charge an application fee — applications are free! This makes it easy and cost-free to apply.

Does Clarke University have college sports?

Yes — Clarke University competes at the NAIA level in the HAAC. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Clarke University the right fit for me?

Whether Clarke University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (72% admit rate), avg net price ($24,479/year after aid), campus culture in Dubuque, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Clarke University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Clarke University directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Dubuque, IA
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NAIA
Conference
HAAC
School Year Weather
Cold · 40°F avg
App Fee
Free
On Campus Safety Score
61/100
Nearest Airport
Dubuque, IA (DBQ) · 8 mialso CID (68 mi), MLI (74 mi)

Location

Dubuque, IA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.