Briar Cliff University vs. SC

Should I go to Briar Cliff University or Sterling College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Briar Cliff University or SC 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Morningside College
Briar Cliff University vs. Sterling College comparison
Briar Cliff University Sterling College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Briar Cliff University SC
Location Sioux City, IA Sterling, KS
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 927 706
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website briarcliff.edu sterling.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Briar Cliff University SC
Tuition (In State) $33,180 $28,500
Tuition (Out of State) $33,180 $28,500
Room & Board $9,910 $9,336
Avg Net Price $21,620 $22,680
Avg Grant Aid $26,614 $19,729
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Briar Cliff University SC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 1,959
Admitted - 1,197
Acceptance Rate Open 61.1%
Enrolled % Open 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.46
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 938/1123
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025

Academics

 Briar Cliff University SC
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Briar Cliff University SC
Graduation Rate 45% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $24,663
Median Loan Payment $253 $255

Diversity

 Briar Cliff University SC
% Men 44% 59%
% Women 56% 41%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 73% 68%
% Black 7% 11%
% Hispanic 11% 15%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

 Briar Cliff University SC
% In-State 30% 37%
% Out-of-State 58% 53%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Briar Cliff University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (927 students vs. 706 students)

Briar Cliff University vs. SC Cost Comparison

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

  • Briar Cliff University is 16.4% more expensive to attend than SC for in-state tuition ($33,180.00 vs. $28,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.4% higher at Briar Cliff University than Sterling College ($33,180.00 vs. $28,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Briar Cliff University than SC ($21,620 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 6.1% lower than costs at Briar Cliff University ($9,336 vs. $9,910)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Briar Cliff University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 34.9% larger than aid received Sterling College ($26,614 vs. $19,729)

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

  • 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

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

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Briar Cliff University (48% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn on average $5,100 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $37,400)
  • Briar Cliff University students graduate with a $163 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($24,500 vs. $24,663)
  • Briar Cliff University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans 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/