Briar Cliff University vs. College of Saint Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA with College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Briar Cliff University is larger than College of Saint Mary based on total student enrollment (947 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); College of Saint Mary is in Omaha, NE (Large City setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; College of Saint Mary 8:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. College of Saint Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or College of Saint Mary? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Saint Mary than Briar Cliff University ($17,078 vs. $23,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Mary are 21.1% lower than at Briar Cliff University ($9,084 vs. $11,518).
• Briar Cliff University is 50.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of Saint Mary (about $12,446 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.8% higher at Briar Cliff University than at College of Saint Mary (about $12,446 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University as at College of Saint Mary (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 50.8% larger than aid received by College of Saint Mary students ($28,425 vs. $18,847).

Briar Cliff University vs. College of Saint Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or College of Saint Mary? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between College of Saint Mary and Briar Cliff University.

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; College of Saint Mary - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman College of Saint Mary students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21).

Briar Cliff University vs. College of Saint Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University and College of Saint Mary? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Briar Cliff University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than College of Saint Mary's (30%).
• Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than College of Saint Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $41,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Briar Cliff University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than College of Saint Mary graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Briar Cliff University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of Saint Mary graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of Saint Mary students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.