Briar Cliff University vs. SC

Comparable Facts

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

Briar Cliff University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (947 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); Sterling College is in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; Sterling College 8:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. SC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or SC? 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 Briar Cliff University than SC ($23,263 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 16.8% lower than at Briar Cliff University ($9,586 vs. $11,518).
• Briar Cliff University is 9.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $3,256 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Briar Cliff University than at Sterling College (about $3,256 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 20.1% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($28,425 vs. $23,673).

Briar Cliff University vs. SC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or SC? 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 SC and Briar Cliff University.

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSterling College 938/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; SC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21).

Briar Cliff University vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University and SC? 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).

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Briar Cliff University's (45%).
• Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Briar Cliff University graduates have a $163 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($24,500 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, Briar Cliff University graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($253 vs. $255).
• More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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.