Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Upper Iowa University at a Glance
Upper Iowa University (UIU) is a private university in Fayette, Iowa, United States. It enrolls around 3,000 students and offers distance education programs that include centers in the U.S., an online program, an independent study program, and formerly had centers in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.
1857
169 years old
$15M
$15 million (2009)
3,102
2,504 undergrad · 598 grad
37
100 acres
Identity
Is Upper Iowa University Worth It?
At a value score of 24/100, Upper Iowa University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,766 — 2% below average — while paying $20,942/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Upper Iowa University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Upper Iowa University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #81 of 107 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #6 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #81 | Upper Iowa University | 24 | $20,942 | $52,766 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Upper Iowa University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in IA.
Best Programs at Upper Iowa University
The highest-earning program at Upper Iowa University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $32,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Upper Iowa University earns $57,800, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $32,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $18,750 in median debt vs. $28,250 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,942/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,800 | $57,800 | $18,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,800 | $43,800 | $23,125 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,400 | $42,400 | $27,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $41,000 | $41,000 | $29,537 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,200 | $37,200 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $36,400 | $36,400 | $23,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,400 | $35,400 | $25,607 |
| Criminology | $35,300 | $35,300 | $28,450 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $34,000 | $34,000 | $15,000 |
| Human Services, General | $32,800 | $32,800 | $30,118 |
| Psychology, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $28,250 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Fayette, IA
- Student Body
- 1,994 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,942
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,766
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000