Briar Cliff University vs. University of St. Mary

Comparable Facts

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

University of Saint Mary is larger than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (1,462 students vs. 947 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); University of Saint Mary is in Leavenworth, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; University of Saint Mary 11:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. University of St. Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or University of St. Mary ? 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 University of Saint Mary than Briar Cliff University ($23,020 vs. $23,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Mary are 10.3% lower than at Briar Cliff University ($10,328 vs. $11,518).
• Briar Cliff University is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St. Mary (about $1,576 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $35,380.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Briar Cliff University than at University of Saint Mary (about $1,576 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $35,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University than at University of Saint Mary (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 10.5% larger than aid received by University of Saint Mary students ($28,425 vs. $25,726).

Briar Cliff University vs. University of St. Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or University of St. Mary ? 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 University of St. Mary and Briar Cliff University.

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Saint Mary 806/1028.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Saint Mary 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; University of St. Mary - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of St. Mary students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21).

Briar Cliff University vs. University of St. Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University and University of St. Mary ? 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 University of Saint Mary's (42%).
• Graduates from Briar Cliff University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than University of St. Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Saint Mary graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Briar Cliff University graduates ($23,750 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, University of St. Mary graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Briar Cliff University graduates ($245 vs. $253).
• More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St. Mary students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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.