Briar Cliff University vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

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

Briar Cliff University is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (947 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or Cottey 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 Cottey College than Briar Cliff University ($14,704 vs. $23,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 2.4% lower than at Briar Cliff University ($11,240 vs. $11,518).
• Briar Cliff University is 34.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cottey College (about $9,394 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Briar Cliff University than at Cottey College (about $9,394 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University as at Cottey College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 15.7% larger than aid received by Cottey College students ($28,425 vs. $24,565).

Briar Cliff University vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or Cottey 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 Cottey College and Briar Cliff University.

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cottey College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21).

Briar Cliff University vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University and Cottey 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).

• Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Briar Cliff University graduates ($12,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Briar Cliff University graduates ($124 vs. $253).
• More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cottey College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.