Briar Cliff University vs. Shaw University

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

Briar Cliff University Shaw University
Location Sioux City, IA Raleigh, NC
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 927 1,067
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website briarcliff.edu shawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Briar Cliff University Shaw University
Tuition (In State) $33,180 $11,808
Tuition (Out of State) $33,180 $11,808
Room & Board $9,910 $8,514
Avg Net Price $21,620 $14,204
Avg Grant Aid $26,614 $15,548
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 87%

Admission

Briar Cliff University Shaw University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 2,435
Admitted - 1,486
Acceptance Rate Open 61%
Enrolled % Open 13.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 2.6
Typical High School Grades B C+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 30, 2025

Academics

Briar Cliff University Shaw University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

Briar Cliff University Shaw University
Graduation Rate 45% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $29,000
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 15%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $38,000
Median Loan Payment $253 $392

Diversity

Briar Cliff University Shaw University
% Men 44% 47%
% Women 56% 53%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No Yes
% White 73% 1%
% Black 7% 58%
% Hispanic 11% 0%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 39%

Students

Briar Cliff University Shaw University
% In-State 30% 55%
% Out-of-State 58% 34%

Campus

Briar Cliff University Shaw University
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

  • Shaw University is larger than than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (1,067 students vs. 927 students)

Briar Cliff University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or Shaw University?

  • Briar Cliff University is 181% more expensive to attend than Shaw University for in-state tuition ($33,180.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 181% higher at Briar Cliff University than Shaw University ($33,180.00 vs. $11,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shaw University than Briar Cliff University ($14,204 vs. $21,620)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 16.4% lower than costs at Briar Cliff University ($8,514 vs. $9,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Briar Cliff University than Shaw University (99% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 71.2% larger than aid received Shaw University ($26,614 vs. $15,548)

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

  • Accepted freshman Briar Cliff University students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Shaw University (2.6)

Briar Cliff University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Briar Cliff University or Shaw University? 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 Shaw University and Briar Cliff University.

  • The graduation rate at Briar Cliff University is higher than Shaw University (45% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn on average $13,500 more per year than Shaw University graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $29,000)
  • Briar Cliff University students graduate with a $13,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Shaw University graduates. ($24,500 vs. $38,000)
  • Briar Cliff University graduates are paying $139 less per month on federal student loans than Shaw University graduates. ($253 vs. $392)
  • More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 15%)

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