Western Illinois University vs. Briar Cliff University

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

Western Illinois University Briar Cliff University
Location Macomb, IL Sioux City, IA
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 7,643 927
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu briarcliff.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Briar Cliff University
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $33,180
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $33,180
Room & Board $10,500 $9,910
Avg Net Price $11,213 $21,620
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $26,614
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

Western Illinois University Briar Cliff University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 -
Admitted 6,914 -
Acceptance Rate 75% Open
Enrolled % 15.5% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

Western Illinois University Briar Cliff University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Briar Cliff University
Graduation Rate 53% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $255 $253

Diversity

Western Illinois University Briar Cliff University
% Men 43% 44%
% Women 57% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 73%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Western Illinois University Briar Cliff University
% In-State 89% 30%
% Out-of-State 10% 58%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 927 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Briar Cliff University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Briar Cliff University?

  • Briar Cliff University is 248.7% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($33,180.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 248.7% higher at Briar Cliff University than Western Illinois University ($33,180.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Briar Cliff University ($11,213 vs. $21,620)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Briar Cliff University are 6% lower than costs at Western Illinois University ($9,910 vs. $10,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Briar Cliff University than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 70.3% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($26,614 vs. $15,632)

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

  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21)

Western Illinois University vs. Briar Cliff University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Briar Cliff 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 Briar Cliff University and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Illinois University is higher than Briar Cliff University (53% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $3,500 more per year than Briar Cliff University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $42,500)
  • Briar Cliff University students graduate with a $204 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($24,500 vs. $24,704)
  • Briar Cliff University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($253 vs. $255)
  • More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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