Clarke University Acceptance Rate
Dubuque, Iowa · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 3,087
- Admitted
- 2,104
- Yield
- 9.5%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Clarke University's acceptance rate has fallen from 70.5% in 2014–15 to 68.2% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 1,359 to 3,087 (+127%) over that period.
Its 68.2% rate makes Clarke University more selective than about 65% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 26 tracked Iowa schools, it is more selective than about 85%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (73.1% for women vs 67% for men, a 6.1-point gap). Clarke University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 9.5% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 1,359 | 958 | 70.5% | 183 |
| 2015–16 | 1,257 | 904 | 71.9% | 180 |
| 2016–17 | 1,172 | 761 | 64.9% | 158 |
| 2017–18 | 1,149 | 726 | 63.2% | 162 |
| 2018–19 | 1,301 | 1,073 | 82.5% | 197 |
| 2019–20 | 1,074 | 1,008 | 93.9% | 134 |
| 2020–21 | 1,102 | 983 | 89.2% | 146 |
| 2021–22 | 2,006 | 1,781 | 88.8% | 183 |
| 2022–23 | 2,665 | 2,260 | 84.8% | 193 |
| 2023–24 | 3,087 | 2,104 | 68.2% | 199 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 594 | 434 | 73.1% |
| Men | 2,493 | 1,670 | 67% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 480–525 | 9% |
| SAT Math | 410–520 | |
| ACT Composite | 18–26 | 12% |
How Clarke University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Clarke University's acceptance rate?
Clarke University's acceptance rate is 68.2% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (2,104 admitted of 3,087 applicants).
Is Clarke University test optional?
Clarke University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Clarke University?
Clarke University received 3,087 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 2,104.
What SAT score do you need for Clarke University?
Admitted students at Clarke University typically scored 480–525 on SAT Reading/Writing and 410–520 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Clarke University getting harder to get into?
Clarke University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 70.5% in 2014–15 to 68.2% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.clarke.edu/.