Briar Cliff University vs. Iowa Wesleyan College

Should I go to Briar Cliff University or Iowa Wesleyan College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Briar Cliff University or Iowa Wesleyan College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Morningside College
Briar Cliff University vs. Iowa Wesleyan College comparison
Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College College 3 College 4
Iowa Wesleyan College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College
Location Sioux City, IA Mount Pleasant, IA
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 927 871
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website briarcliff.edu iwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College
Tuition (In State) $33,180 $33,550
Tuition (Out of State) $33,180 $33,550
Room & Board $9,910 $11,340
Avg Net Price $21,620 $20,074
Avg Grant Aid $26,614 $26,670
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 92%

Admission

Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 2,975
Admitted - 2,404
Acceptance Rate Open 80.8%
Enrolled % Open 8%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.02
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/22
SAT Range 830/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College
Graduation Rate 45% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $36,900
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $253 $258

Diversity

Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College
% Men 44% 56%
% Women 56% 44%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 73% 52%
% Black 7% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 24%

Students

Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College
% In-State 30% 25%
% Out-of-State 58% 60%

Campus

Briar Cliff University Iowa Wesleyan College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Briar Cliff University is larger than than Iowa Wesleyan College based on total student enrollment (927 students vs. 871 students)

Briar Cliff University vs. Iowa Wesleyan College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or Iowa Wesleyan College?

  • Iowa Wesleyan College is 1.1% more expensive to attend than Briar Cliff University for in-state tuition ($33,550.00 vs. $33,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.1% higher at Iowa Wesleyan College than Briar Cliff University ($33,550.00 vs. $33,180.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa Wesleyan College than Briar Cliff University ($20,074 vs. $21,620)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Briar Cliff University are 14.4% lower than costs at Iowa Wesleyan College ($9,910 vs. $11,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Briar Cliff University than Iowa Wesleyan College (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa Wesleyan College students is 0.2% larger than aid received Briar Cliff University ($26,670 vs. $26,614)

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or Iowa Wesleyan College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Iowa Wesleyan College or Briar Cliff University .

  • Accepted freshman Briar Cliff University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Iowa Wesleyan College (3.02)

Briar Cliff University vs. Iowa Wesleyan College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Briar Cliff University or Iowa Wesleyan College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Iowa Wesleyan College and Briar Cliff University.

  • The graduation rate at Briar Cliff University is higher than Iowa Wesleyan College (45% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn on average $5,600 more per year than Iowa Wesleyan College graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $36,900)
  • Briar Cliff University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Iowa Wesleyan College graduates. ($24,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Briar Cliff University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Iowa Wesleyan College graduates. ($253 vs. $258)
  • More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa Wesleyan College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/