Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at University of Dubuque

The limited data here—fewer than 30 graduates—makes it tough to draw firm conclusions, but the available numbers suggest University of Dubuque's teaching program lags behind Iowa alternatives. Starting at $38,602, graduates earn about $4,000 less than the Iowa median and fall $3,000 below the national average. More concerning, they're trailing the state's top programs by $7,000 to $10,000 annually, which adds up significantly over a teaching career. The 40th percentile ranking among Iowa programs confirms this isn't just noise in small-sample data.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $28,109, borrowing sits near both state and national medians, and the 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates dedicate less than three-quarters of their first year's salary to total debt—manageable by education standards. Earnings do grow steadily to $41,888 by year four, narrowing the gap with peers somewhat. Still, when Iowa State, University of Iowa, and several private colleges consistently produce graduates earning $5,000+ more right out of the gate, families should ask why Dubuque graduates start behind.

For families considering this program, understand you're paying private tuition (40% of students need Pell grants, suggesting significant costs) for earnings outcomes below the state's flagship publics. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to attend—location, smaller classes, specific faculty—Iowa's teaching job market rewards degrees from higher-ranked programs in the state.