Upper Iowa University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Fayette, Iowa. It enrolls 1,994 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
50/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes11
Value43
Affordability47
Selectivity15
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 96.5%, Upper Iowa University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
96.5%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
17 – 23
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Upper Iowa University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
42.1 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Upper Iowa University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $20,942 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$20,942
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
32%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
40%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$19,475
Room & Board (on-campus)
$10,121
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,121
Books & Supplies
$1,025
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,512
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,512
Total Cost of Attendance
$34,022
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$17,715
$30,001 – $48,000
$22,774
$48,001 – $75,000
$18,720
$75,001 – $110,000
$20,041
Over $110,000
$23,805
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,75010%percentile
$6,25025%percentile
$25,000Medianpercentile
$27,68775%percentile
$37,35090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $19,500
↓ $5,500
No Pell $13,897
↓ $11,103
Dependent students $12,450
↓ $12,550
Independent students $20,860
↓ $4,140
Female students $19,107
↓ $5,893
Male students $14,750
↓ $10,250
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $10,500, less than completers ($25,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
32% of full-time students who enrolled at Upper Iowa University graduate within six years, and 63% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
32%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
63%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Upper Iowa University earn a median of $52,766 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$52,766
Earning > $25K
79%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$41,800
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$52,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$35,900
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$49,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$54,100
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,500, about 20% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
22.8 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 82% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Upper Iowa University is home to 1,994 students, a mid-sized community. Some distinctive traits: 45% are first-generation college students, 45% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
1,994
Part-Time
45%
First-Generation
45%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 59.2%1,180
Black 18.1%360
Hispanic 9.3%186
Other 4.6%92
International 3.9%77
Asian 1.5%30
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Upper Iowa University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Rural: RemoteFayette, Iowa
Housing
Partly residential752 beds available
Adult Learners
65%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Upper Iowa University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
53 distinct programs across
19 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Upper Iowa University is 22:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
22:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$25M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$57,927
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
35 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
9
26%
$68,808
Associate Professors
10
29%
$58,417
Assistant Professors
12
34%
$53,523
Lecturers
4
11%
$45,438
Pros & Cons of Upper Iowa University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Upper Iowa University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Solid post-graduation earnings
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Larger class sizes than typical
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Best for:
Based on the data, Upper Iowa University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Upper Iowa University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Upper Iowa University.
Is Upper Iowa University hard to get into?
Upper Iowa University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 96.5%.
What is the acceptance rate at Upper Iowa University?
Upper Iowa University has an acceptance rate of 96.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What ACT score do you need for Upper Iowa University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Upper Iowa University scored between 17 and 23 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Upper Iowa University cost?
The average net price after aid at Upper Iowa University is $20,942 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Upper Iowa University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $52,766 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $20,942 per year. That's roughly 2.5x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Upper Iowa University known for?
Upper Iowa University is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Psychology, Teacher Education (K-12). These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Upper Iowa University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Upper Iowa University are $52,766, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Upper Iowa University accredited?
Yes. Upper Iowa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Upper Iowa University?
Upper Iowa University enrolls 1,994 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Upper Iowa University?
Upper Iowa University graduates 32% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Upper Iowa University a public or private college?
Upper Iowa University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Upper Iowa University located?
Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, Iowa.
What programs does Upper Iowa University offer?
Upper Iowa University offers 53 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Psychology, Teacher Education (K-12).
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Upper Iowa University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Upper Iowa University is 22:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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