Loras College
Loras College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Loras College at a Glance
Loras College is a private Catholic college in Dubuque, Iowa, United States. It has an enrollment of approximately 1,600 students and is the oldest post-secondary institution in the state of Iowa.
1839
187 years old
1,235
1,169 undergrad · 66 grad
64 acres
Identity
Is Loras College Worth It?
Loras College offers moderate value at $20,716/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,289, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 100% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Loras College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #4 of 86 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Loras College | 48 | $20,716 | $58,289 |
| #5 | Aquinas College | 48 | $16,626 | $49,584 |
| #6 | College of Saint Benedict | 48 | $26,640 | $63,260 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Loras College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in IA.
Best Programs at Loras College
The highest-earning program at Loras College is Accounting and Related Services at $50,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $29,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Loras College earns $50,700, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $29,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $25,458 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,716/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $50,700 | $50,700 | $25,458 |
| Marketing | $41,500 | $41,500 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,200 | $40,200 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $31,900 | $31,900 | $25,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,100 | $29,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Dubuque, IA
- Student Body
- 1,083 students
- Admission Rate
- 100%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,716
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,289
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000