Dubuque College to Cut Positions, Programs at the End of Year

A university in Dubuque has announced they would be cutting both positions and programs at the end of the current academic year due to a combination of declining enrollment and rising operational costs.

Per KCRG, Clarke University in Dubuque with phase out 13 academic programs at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. Such a move will eliminate roughly 35-37 positions in order to alleviate financial pressures.

READ MORE: City of Dubuque Announces Long-Term Closure of Major Road

Clarke University — a private Catholic university founded in 1843 — confirmed that approximately 90% of current Clarke students will not see their academic plans impacted by the changes. That said, 23 faculty positions and 12-14 staff positions will indeed be impacted. Faculty will continue teaching through the current academic year.

Such factors as declining enrollment, rising costs, and financial pressures demanded the school take "more significant action," per KCRG. Clarke has addressed these challenges for years, but drastic options had to be taken as a result of these aforementioned compounding factors.

President Dr. Yvonne Zimmerman commented on Clarke University being forced to "realign" its academic offerings to match enrollment and demands:

This is a difficult season, but not an impossible one. With partnership, faith, and resilience we will navigate this transition and emerge stronger—renewed in purpose, united in mission, and ready to carry Clarke’s light into its next chapter - Clarke University President Dr. Yvonne Zimmerman, per KCRG

At this time, the programs Clarke University would be eliminating were not specified. Read more on KCRG's website.