Briar Cliff University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 947 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University than Briar Cliff University ($15,547 vs. $23,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 4.3% lower than at Briar Cliff University ($11,028 vs. $11,518).
• Briar Cliff University is 256.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $26,595 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 256.7% higher at Briar Cliff University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $26,595 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 227.7% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($28,425 vs. $8,674).

Briar Cliff University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and Briar Cliff University.

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Briar Cliff University students have the same average high school GPA (3.21) as students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).

Briar Cliff University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University and Southwest Minnesota State University? 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).

• Briar Cliff University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $2,822 lower median loan debt than Briar Cliff University graduates ($21,678 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Briar Cliff University graduates ($224 vs. $253).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Briar Cliff University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.