Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Dubuque

Based on comparable liberal arts programs across Iowa, University of Dubuque's graduates typically start around $40,400—landing right at the state median and notably above the $36,340 national benchmark for these degrees. The estimated $27,000 debt load translates to a 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio, which means graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary. That's manageable territory for a bachelor's degree, though it requires the discipline of steady repayment during those crucial early career years.

The challenge with liberal arts degrees isn't typically the debt—it's the career trajectory. While first-year earnings look reasonable, these programs rarely lead to specialized fields with clear salary growth paths. Peer programs in Iowa show a tight clustering between $40,000-$44,000, suggesting limited variation regardless of institution. With 40% of University of Dubuque students receiving Pell grants, many families here are stretching financially for a degree that offers broad skills but not specific career training.

If your child has a clear plan for what comes after graduation—graduate school, a specific career path where the liberal arts foundation matters—these estimated numbers suggest a workable investment. Without that plan, you're banking on your student figuring out how to translate general knowledge into employment, which is exactly where many liberal arts graduates struggle.