Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Dubuque

University of Dubuque's business program delivers solid value with graduates earning notably above national benchmarks. At $50,268 in year one, starting salaries exceed the national median by nearly 10% and place this program in the 66th percentile nationally—respectable performance that translates to about $4,500 more per year than typical business graduates earn. Within Iowa, the program sits at the 60th percentile, performing above the state median while charging debt levels right at the state average of $27,000.

The debt picture is particularly attractive. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, graduates earn roughly twice what they owe—a manageable burden that sits in the 25th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 75% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt). That $27,000 is entirely reasonable for a business degree that shows 11% earnings growth to $55,640 by year four. While this program doesn't reach the earnings levels of Iowa's top performers like William Penn ($62,162) or Saint Ambrose ($60,163), it offers a more affordable path to a business degree for the 40% of students receiving Pell grants.

The bottom line: This is a dependable middle-tier option that won't break the bank. Your child won't graduate among Iowa's highest-earning business students, but they'll start ahead of most national peers with debt that's entirely manageable on their starting salary.