
605 Washington St., Fayette, IA 52142, USA


Graduation rates at Upper Iowa University are notably low compared to national standards. The overall graduation rate stands at 41%, placing the institution in the bottom 20% of similar colleges and universities. Male students have a graduation rate of 37%, while female students graduate at a slightly higher rate of 48%, both categories falling into the bottom 25% percentile.
Focusing on time to completion, only 29% of students finish their degree within four years, which again ranks in the lowest 25% nationally. Extending the timeframe to six years increases the graduation rate to 42%, still within the bottom 25%. This indicates that a majority of students take longer than the traditional timeline to graduate or do not complete their programs at all.
The university's retention rate, which measures the percentage of first-year students who continue to their second year, is 59%. This figure is positioned in the bottom 15% for retention rates nationwide, highlighting challenges in maintaining student enrollment beyond the initial year.
Graduates from Upper Iowa University experience varying earning outcomes depending on their field of study. Those who pursued degrees in healthcare tend to have some of the highest earnings. For example, graduates with a degree in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing earn an average of $55,887. Similarly, those with a background in Health and Medical Administrative Services earn around $41,425, reflecting strong compensation in medical-related careers.
Business-related programs also show solid financial prospects. Alumni with a degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations earn approximately $46,059, while those focusing on Accounting and Related Services receive an average earning of $47,626. Graduates specialized in Human Resources Management and Services make about $43,894, and Finance and Financial Management Services degree holders earn around $41,533. Marketing graduates earn close to $36,737, which is moderately competitive within the business education spectrum.
Education degrees at Upper Iowa University offer moderate earnings with graduates in Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods making $37,288, and those in Specific Subject Areas earning about $36,828. Degrees in the Social Sciences generally provide earnings in a similar range; for instance, Social Sciences, General graduates earn $37,440, Criminology graduates earn $38,511, and Psychology graduates make approximately $34,665 on average.
The Natural Resources Conservation and Research program yields starting earnings around $30,830, while graduates with a degree in Human Services, General report earnings near $32,737. Biology graduates earn about $40,071, placing them among the higher-earning groups in science-related fields.
Among the degrees analyzed, Public Administration offers some of the strongest earning potential, with alumni earning as much as $53,774, a figure that surpasses many other fields and highlights the value of public sector education from Upper Iowa University.
Career Centers:
Full time employees: 2
Part time employees: Data not available
Career Counselling:
Individual: All undergraduates
Group: All undergraduates
Career Center services:
Other information:
Job bank on campus
YesJob fairs on campus
YesIndividual job placement
All undergraduatesOn campus employer recruitment
All undergraduatesBACHELOR’S Degree
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
Natural Resources and Conservation
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Education
Engineering
English Language and Literature/Letters
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Psychology
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Health Professions and Related Programs
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
History
MASTER’S Degree
Education
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Psychology
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services