Briar Cliff University vs. Loras College

Comparable Facts

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

Loras College is larger than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (1,189 students vs. 947 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); Loras College is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; Loras College 12:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. Loras College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or Loras 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 Loras College than Briar Cliff University ($21,631 vs. $23,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 4.5% lower than at Briar Cliff University ($11,000 vs. $11,518).
• Loras College is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Briar Cliff University (about $2,868 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $36,956.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Loras College than at Briar Cliff University (about $2,868 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $36,956.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University as at Loras College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Briar Cliff University students ($28,835 vs. $28,425).

Briar Cliff University vs. Loras College Admissions comparison

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

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; Loras College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Loras College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21).

Briar Cliff University vs. Loras College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Loras College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Briar Cliff University's (45%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Briar Cliff University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Briar Cliff University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Briar Cliff University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Briar Cliff University students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 66%)

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.