Campus Identity
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.
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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.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
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.
Illinois
Wisconsin
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
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.
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.
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.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $40,910 |
| Fees | $1,130 |
| Room & Board | $11,734 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $53,774 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
42 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
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.
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
