Briar Cliff University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Sioux City, Iowa. It enrolls 624 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
63/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes59
Value34
Affordability46
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Briar Cliff University.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Briar Cliff University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $23,907 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$23,907
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
53%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
48%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$36,956
Room & Board (on-campus)
$11,518
Room & Board (off-campus)
$12,648
Books & Supplies
$2,182
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$7,684
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$7,684
Total Cost of Attendance
$51,493
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$17,764
$30,001 – $48,000
$14,604
$48,001 – $75,000
$25,516
$75,001 – $110,000
$30,156
Over $110,000
$27,328
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$4,75010%percentile
$7,50025%percentile
$23,250Medianpercentile
$25,80075%percentile
$33,48190%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $17,596
↓ $5,654
No Pell $12,000
↓ $11,250
Dependent students $15,000
↓ $8,250
Independent students $18,223
↓ $5,027
Female students $16,837
↓ $6,413
Male students $15,000
↓ $8,250
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $12,125, less than completers ($23,250), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
35% of full-time students who enrolled at Briar Cliff University graduate within six years, and 62% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
35%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
62%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Briar Cliff University earn a median of $54,475 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$54,475
Earning > $25K
82%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$41,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$49,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$39,500
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$42,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$49,200
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $7,800, about 16% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
12.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 92% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Briar Cliff University is home to 624 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 36% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
624
Part-Time
10%
First-Generation
36%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 58.7%366
Hispanic 14.9%93
International 12.5%78
Black 7.4%46
Other 5.6%35
Asian 0.8%5
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Briar Cliff University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CitySioux City, Iowa
Housing
Mostly residential383 beds on campus
Adult Learners
11%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Briar Cliff University offers
a varied set of programs:
31 distinct programs across
18 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Briar Cliff University is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$27M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$63,621
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
59 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
7
12%
$108,104
Associate Professors
18
31%
$57,044
Assistant Professors
31
53%
$57,420
Instructors
3
5%
$63,372
Pros & Cons of Briar Cliff University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Briar Cliff University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Best for:
Based on the data, Briar Cliff University is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Briar Cliff University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Briar Cliff University.
How much does Briar Cliff University cost?
The average net price after aid at Briar Cliff University is $23,907 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Briar Cliff University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $54,475 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $23,907 per year. That's roughly 2.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Briar Cliff University known for?
Briar Cliff University is best known for its programs in Rehabilitation, Nursing, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Briar Cliff University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Briar Cliff University are $54,475, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Briar Cliff University accredited?
Yes. Briar Cliff University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Briar Cliff University?
Briar Cliff University enrolls 624 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Briar Cliff University?
Briar Cliff University graduates 35% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Briar Cliff University a public or private college?
Briar Cliff University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Briar Cliff University located?
Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, Iowa.
What programs does Briar Cliff University offer?
Briar Cliff University offers 31 distinct programs. The most popular include Rehabilitation, Nursing, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Briar Cliff University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Briar Cliff University is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Iowa
Other colleges in Iowa share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Nursing
Business Administration
Teacher Education (K-12)
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