Clarke University

Clarke University is a private, coeducational Catholic institution located in Dubuque, Iowa, overlooking the Mississippi River. It is sponsored by the BVM Sisters (Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), and its educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the BVM core values of freedom, education, justice, and charity. The university offers a comprehensive selection of undergraduate and graduate programs across the liberal arts and sciences, health sciences, and professional fields. It is known for its service-learning focus and commitment to providing a holistic education that emphasizes intellectual curiosity, ethical leadership, and social responsibility within a close-knit, residential community.

The university traces its history to 1843, when it was founded by Mother Mary Frances Clarke, the founder of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as a school for girls. It holds the distinction of being the oldest college in Iowa that is continuously in operation. Originally named St. Mary's Female Academy, the institution moved to its present hilltop location in Dubuque in 1881 and was later renamed Clarke College in honor of its founder. It began admitting men into its continuing education programs in the 1960s, and officially became fully coeducational in its traditional undergraduate programs in 1979. The institution adopted its current name, Clarke University, in 2010 to reflect its expanded graduate and doctoral program offerings.

This university is a distinguished institution that successfully integrates a rich history as Iowa's oldest college with a forward-looking commitment to health sciences and ethical leadership. By anchoring its liberal arts curriculum in the BVM charism and offering specialized, highly effective professional programs, the university ensures its graduates are not only career-ready but also compassionate, socially responsible leaders. The combination of its long tradition, Catholic values, and professiona