Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Dubuque, Iowa
68.2% Acceptance Rate
Clarke University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
68.2%Acceptance Rate
3.36Avg GPA
1060Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$52,899Annual Cost
$55,396Grad Salary
35.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
68.2%
Avg GPA
3.36
Avg SAT
1060
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
890–1045
ACT Middle 50%
18–26
Need-Based Aid
35.9% receive Pell
Clarke University is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution in Iowa known for its supportive community, academic rigor, and commitment to personal development. Offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university fosters an environment where students engage in critical inquiry and professional preparation. Its focus on providing a values-centered, high-value education makes it a meaningful choice for students seeking to balance their intellectual pursuits with their personal and career ambitions.
Clarke University Acceptance Rate
Clarke University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 68.2% each year.
What Clarke University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 68.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.91
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Clarke University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Clarke University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Clarke University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Clarke University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Clarke University is 3.36. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.06–3.36 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.56–3.76.Clarke University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.96 – 3.15
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.95
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No relation to Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, despite the near-identical name; Clarke is Catholic, founded by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM)
- Nursing major requires a separate, competitive sophomore-level clinical application (3.0 GPA, specific prerequisite grades, CPR/CNA certification, interview, background check); only two application attempts allowed
- Nursing students complete a 120-hour one-on-one preceptorship with a working nurse mentor, beyond standard clinical hours
- Offers unusually specific continuing-education programs in both nursing and brewing alongside 40+ traditional undergraduate majors
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Clarke University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Clarke University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Clarke University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Clarke University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Clarke University Without SAT or ACT?
Clarke University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Clarke University Average SAT Score: 1060
Admitted students at Clarke University average a 1060 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1060 — Accessible
A 1060 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1045 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Clarke University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 890? A retake is worth it at Clarke University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 465 | 410 | 520 |
| SAT Reading | 503 | 480 | 525 |
| SAT Composite | 1060 | 890 | 1045 |
A score under 890 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1045+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Clarke University with a 1050 SAT?
At 1050, your SAT is squarely in Clarke University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Clarke University ACT Requirements
Clarke University's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 26 |
Can I get into Clarke University with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Clarke University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Clarke University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Clarke University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Clarke University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Confirm you're researching Clarke (Dubuque, IA), not Clark (Worcester, MA)
Clarke University and Clark University are unrelated schools separated by one letter, and search engines and aggregator sites regularly mix up their admissions pages and essay guides. Verify the state, the "e," and the mission - Clarke is Catholic, founded by the Sisters of Charity of the BVM; Clark is a secular research university - before basing any strategy on either school's specific requirements.
Treat nursing admission as a two-stage process, not one
Getting into Clarke does not mean automatic entry into the nursing major - students apply separately to the clinical portion at the sophomore level, requiring 30 completed credit hours, a 3.0 cumulative GPA, C-or-better grades in chemistry/microbiology/anatomy & physiology, CPR and CNA certification, two references, a written goals statement, and a faculty interview. Applicants get only two chances to apply to the clinical portion, so prerequisite timing should be mapped from the first semester.
Use the 120-hour preceptorship as a specific talking point for nursing applicants
Beyond standard clinical rotations, Clarke pairs nursing students with a one-on-one working-nurse mentor for 120 hours of preceptorship in a unit and care setting the student chooses - a level of individualized clinical mentorship many programs don't offer. A nursing applicant should ask about this preceptorship structure directly in interviews to signal real program research.
Name the Clarke Compass and BVM mission specifically, not generic "small Catholic college" language
Clarke tracks each student's coursework and experiences through "The Clarke Compass," compiling them into a career-ready resume by graduation - tied to the founding values (freedom, education, justice, charity) of the Sisters of Charity of the BVM, the same order whose sister Mary Kenneth Keller founded Clarke's computer science program in 1965 and was among the first people to earn a PhD in computer science in the U.S. Referencing this history and the Compass system directly shows genuine engagement with the school's identity.
Expert Insight:
Content found online under "Clarke University" should be checked for whether it's actually describing Clark University in Massachusetts - essay-prompt guides and admissions statistics for the two schools have been found conflated on aggregator sites, which can lead a student to prepare for the wrong application entirely.
Clarke University Profile
Full Name
Clarke University
City
Dubuque
State
Iowa
ZIP Code
52001-3198
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Clarke University Degree Worth It?
Whether Clarke University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $57,800, and graduates see a 3.04% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Clarke University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $52,899/year at Clarke University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Clarke University, 35.9% receive a Pell Grant and 71.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Clarke University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Clarke University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Clarke University graduates report a median income of $55,396, about 36% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Clarke University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Clarke University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Clarke University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Clarke University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Clarke University Admissions
Clarke University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $55,396/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Clarke University runs high, at roughly $52,899+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
35.9% of Clarke University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Clarke University's acceptance rate is 68.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Clarke University students is 3.36, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.06 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Clarke University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.96 or below makes admission tougher at Clarke University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Clarke University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1060, and within the 890–1045 range, keeps you competitive.
Clarke University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Clarke University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.