Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Dubuque

University of Dubuque nursing graduates start near the Iowa median but see their earnings slip backward over four years—an unusual pattern for a profession where compensation typically grows with experience. While first-year earnings of $66,628 land around the 40th percentile statewide, they actually decline to $64,008 by year four. This puts graduates roughly $10,000 behind the state median and notably behind peer Iowa schools like Luther College ($75,533) and Dordt University ($71,680).

The $29,750 debt load is reasonable and aligns closely with state and national benchmarks, yielding a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, the declining earnings trajectory raises questions about career advancement or retention in higher-paying positions. It's worth noting the sample size here is small—under 30 graduates—so these patterns may not be representative of typical outcomes.

For nursing specifically, where Iowa offers 19 programs and demand remains strong, your child could likely find better-earning prospects elsewhere in the state. The debt isn't a dealbreaker, but starting $8,000 below the national median and moving backward financially isn't the trajectory most nursing families expect. If University of Dubuque is the choice for other reasons, ask specifically about clinical placement sites and job placement patterns—those factors may explain why earnings aren't keeping pace with Iowa peers.