Briar Cliff University vs. McPherson College

Should I go to Briar Cliff University or McPherson College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Briar Cliff University or McPherson 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.
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Briar Cliff University vs. McPherson College comparison
Briar Cliff University McPherson College College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Briar Cliff University McPherson College
Location Sioux City, IA McPherson, KS
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 927 822
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Church of Brethren - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website briarcliff.edu mcpherson.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Briar Cliff University McPherson College
Tuition (In State) $33,180 $32,494
Tuition (Out of State) $33,180 $32,494
Room & Board $9,910 $9,918
Avg Net Price $21,620 $25,065
Avg Grant Aid $26,614 $21,916
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Briar Cliff University McPherson College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 1,445
Admitted - 952
Acceptance Rate Open 65.9%
Enrolled % Open 26.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 908/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Briar Cliff University McPherson 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 (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

 Briar Cliff University McPherson College
Graduation Rate 45% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $253 $268

Diversity

 Briar Cliff University McPherson College
% Men 44% 67%
% Women 56% 33%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 73% 70%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 11% 12%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 Briar Cliff University McPherson College
% In-State 30% 31%
% Out-of-State 58% 62%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Briar Cliff University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (927 students vs. 822 students)

Briar Cliff University vs. McPherson College Cost Comparison

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

  • Briar Cliff University is 2.1% more expensive to attend than McPherson College for in-state tuition ($33,180.00 vs. $32,494.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.1% higher at Briar Cliff University than McPherson College ($33,180.00 vs. $32,494.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Briar Cliff University than McPherson College ($21,620 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Briar Cliff University are 0.1% lower than costs at McPherson College ($9,910 vs. $9,918)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College than Briar Cliff University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 21.4% larger than aid received McPherson College ($26,614 vs. $21,916)

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

  • Accepted freshman McPherson College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21)

Briar Cliff University vs. McPherson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Briar Cliff University or McPherson 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 McPherson College and Briar Cliff University.

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Briar Cliff University (46% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $1,700 more per year than Briar Cliff University graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $42,500)
  • Briar Cliff University students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than McPherson College graduates. ($24,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Briar Cliff University graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than McPherson College graduates. ($253 vs. $268)
  • More McPherson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Briar Cliff University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 66%)

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