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Dubuque IA - overviewPhoto: Dirk · CC BY 2.0
Colleges in and near Dubuque

Dubuque is home to five colleges, with 4,210 students on campus

The University of Dubuque (1,736 students on campus) and Loras College (1,185) are inside the city. About 8% of Dubuque’s residents are enrolled in college, above Iowa (6%).

University of DubuqueLoras College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Dubuque. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
5
4,210 students on campus
Nearest college
0.7 mi
University of Dubuque
Residents in college
8%
Above IA (6%)
Nearest community college
63.1 mi
Kirkwood · $6,176 tuition
Nearest public university
71.8 mi
University of Iowa · $11,283 in-state
Median household income
$66K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Dubuque

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 1.5 milesUniversity of Dubuque admits 89% of applicants; Loras College admits 100%. Together they have 2,921 students on campus.A community college 63.1 miles awayKirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids: tuition and fees $6,176 a year for Iowa residents.In-state price at University of IowaLiving in Iowa, the University of Iowa charges $11,283 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $33,371. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 8% of residentsAbove Iowa (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Dubuque

Five private colleges within 1.5 miles. The nearest public four-year college, University of Iowa, is 71.8 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of DubuqueLoras CollegeDubuque
University or collegeCommunity college
University of DubuqueUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,736 on campus · In Dubuque89%admitted$23knet price40%graduate$51kearningsEmmaus Bible CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 178 on campus · In Dubuque60%admitted$13knet price83%graduate$43kearningsClarke UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 950 on campus · In Dubuque72%admitted$24knet price56%graduate$55kearningsWartburg Theological SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 161 on campus · In DubuqueGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Loras CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,185 on campus · In Dubuque100%admitted$21knet price68%graduate$58kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Dubuque’s median household income ($65,845) falls.

Emmaus Bible CollegeIn Dubuque · sticker $30,971$10,844a year
Loras CollegeIn Dubuque · sticker $50,537$15,624a year
University of DubuqueIn Dubuque · sticker $53,806$19,480a year
University of Iowa71.8 mi · Iowa City · sticker $28,596$19,930a year
Clarke UniversityIn Dubuque · sticker $55,782$22,645a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of DubuqueEmmaus Bible CollegeClarke UniversityLoras CollegeUniversity of Iowa
University of Iowa75% graduate$65k earnings$22k typical debt
University of Dubuque40% graduate$51k earnings$26k typical debt
Loras College68% graduate$58k earnings$26k typical debt
Clarke University56% graduate$55k earnings$27k typical debt
Emmaus Bible College83% graduate$43k earnings$16k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Dubuque

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Dubuque’s 4 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 19%Parks & recreation 11%Education 9%Health professions 7%Transportation 7%Theology 5%Everything else 42%

Biggest programs

Air TransportationUniversity of Dubuque · 74 graduates a year
$86k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessLoras College · 55 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsLoras College · 49 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsUniversity of Dubuque · 43 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsClarke University · 32 graduates a year
$76k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralLoras College · 28 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessUniversity of Dubuque · 26 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsUniversity of Dubuque · 25 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Dubuque

Is Dubuque a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Dubuque residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Iowa (6). The largest campus in the city, the University of Dubuque, has 1,736 students on campus.

What colleges are in Dubuque?

The University of Dubuque, Loras College, Clarke University, Emmaus Bible College and 1 more are inside the city. Kirkwood Community College is 63.1 miles away in Cedar Rapids.

What is the closest community college to Dubuque, and what does it cost?

Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, 63.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,176 a year for Iowa residents; the federal net price, $9,705, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of Iowa cost if we live in Iowa?

Tuition and fees are $11,283 a year in-state and $33,371 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $15,316 (under $30,000 income) to $26,266 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Dubuque. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →