Mathematics at Clarke University

With only three Iowa math programs reporting earnings data—and Clarke's figures estimated from that thin state sample—it's worth noting that $51,422 sits at the state median but trails Iowa's flagship university by nearly $10,000. The estimated debt of $21,750 translates to a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. This falls comfortably within the threshold most financial advisors consider reasonable for bachelor's degree holders.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Clarke's relatively modest admission profile (68% acceptance rate, 1060 SAT average) and the suppressed data suggest a small math program, which could mean either intimate class sizes or limited course offerings and career networking. Similar Iowa programs show considerable spread—from $42,729 to over $60,000—making it difficult to predict where Clarke's actual graduates land. The 36% Pell grant rate indicates the school serves a substantial population of lower-income students, for whom that $21,750 debt figure becomes more significant regardless of starting salary.

If your child is considering Clarke specifically for reasons beyond the numbers—perhaps a particular professor, a tight-knit campus community, or geographic ties to Dubuque—the estimated debt burden appears workable. But if mathematics outcomes are the primary concern, you'll need to investigate Clarke's placement record, alumni network, and whether graduates pursue teaching, actuarial work, or data analysis roles that might explain where they actually fall within Iowa's wide earnings range.