Analysis
The healthcare administration field in Iowa typically produces stronger outcomes than what these national estimates suggest for University of Dubuque. Iowa's median for health administration bachelor's programs sits at $48,420, roughly $4,000 above the national figure used to estimate this program's first-year earnings. Upper Iowa and Waldorf, the state's programs with actual reported data, both show graduates earning above $46,000βa meaningful gap if it holds here.
The estimated debt load of $33,345 would create a manageable 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio if the national earnings figure proves accurate. However, if this program performs closer to Iowa norms, the picture improves considerably. The 40% Pell grant rate indicates University of Dubuque serves many students with financial need, making that debt level worth scrutinizing even at favorable ratios. Healthcare administration roles offer stability and growth potential, but starting salaries rarely create financial cushion in year one.
Without program-specific outcomes, you're making an educated guess rather than an informed decision. If your child is committed to healthcare administration and has strong reasons to attend University of Dubuque specifically, the fundamentals aren't alarmingβbut request placement data, alumni contacts, and employer partnerships directly from the school. Iowa's healthcare administration market appears robust enough that a well-connected program should produce better than national median results.
Where University of Dubuque Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Health and Medical Administrative Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,065 | $44,345* | β | $33,345* | β | |
| $19,000 | $49,916* | $48,747 | $46,649* | 0.93 | |
| $25,220 | $46,923* | β | $27,086* | 0.58 | |
| National Median | β | $44,345* | β | $30,998* | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates
Information Security Analysts
Medical and Health Services Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Computer Programmers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Dubuque, approximately 40% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 262 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.