Briar Cliff University vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 947 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College than Briar Cliff University ($21,530 vs. $23,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 17.1% lower than at Briar Cliff University ($9,552 vs. $11,518).
• Briar Cliff University is 43.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $11,130 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.1% higher at Briar Cliff University than at Columbia College (about $11,130 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 79% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($28,425 vs. $15,882).

Briar Cliff University vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and Briar Cliff University.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21).

Briar Cliff University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University and Columbia College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Briar Cliff University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $2,466 lower median loan debt than Briar Cliff University graduates ($22,034 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Briar Cliff University graduates ($227 vs. $253).
• More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 40%)

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.