ACCEPTANCE RATE
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Private University
Briar Cliff University
Briar Cliff University offers a private nonprofit liberal arts education in Sioux City, Iowa, fostering character development within a caring Catholic and Franciscan community.
—ACCEPTANCE
$23,292AVG NET PRICE
49%GRAD RATE
940STUDENTS
University data profileIPEDS 2023
No photo
Sioux City, IACity: Small
THE SIGNATURE
Briar Cliff University Report Card
Explore university facts, programs, and campus life at a glance.
Briar Cliff University is a four-year private institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. As a Roman Catholic university with Franciscan roots, it emphasizes dignity, community, and the shaping of character alongside academic achievement. The campus maintains an intimate learning environment highlighted by a low student-to-faculty ratio and a strong tradition spanning over ninety years.
The university provides fifty-one undergraduate majors designed to prepare ethical world changers through small classes and authentic experiences. Students can pursue degrees in four years or less after completing a value-centered general education curriculum. Beyond academics, the institution offers professional programs, certification courses, and workshops to help advance careers while maintaining a focus on lifelong learning.
AT A GLANCE
TypePrivateFour or more years
Founded—
SettingCity: Small
Calendarsemester
Religious affiliationRoman Catholic
Athletics—
GETTING IN
Admissions
Prospective students are encouraged to apply online or inquire for more information about admission requirements. The university generally requires a high school diploma or GED with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and an ACT composite score of at least 18 or an SAT composite score of at least 960.
SAT RANGE (MID 50%)
SAT range is not reported.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Not reportedNo application fee.
WHAT IT COSTS
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker price tells you little — net price after aid is what most families actually pay.
Source: IPEDS 2023
IN-STATE TUITION & FEES
$34,727/yr
Out-of-state: $34,727/yr.
Net price by income band
$0–$30,000
$30,001–$48,000
$48,001–$75,000
$75,001–$110,000
$110,001+
AVERAGE NET PRICE AFTER AID
$23,292/yr
▲ 7% since 2020-2182% receive aid
Average aid package $26,079.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Academics
The undergraduate curriculum is built on small classes, caring faculty, and authentic experiences that shape more than just a résumé. The university offers fifty-one undergraduate majors across various disciplines to support diverse career goals. Graduate programs are designed to be flexible and affordable for those seeking to advance their professional lives.
Source: IPEDS 2023
Student–faculty ratio
12:1
6-year graduation rate
49%
▲ 5 pts since 2016
First-year retention
60%
Compared with the 89% public-university median.
Undergrad majors
51
Undergraduate majors and programs
MOST POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.18.4%
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology.14.7%
Social Work.11%
Business Administration and Management, General.11%
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.7.3%
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.4.6%
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus & Housing
Campus housing shows how many students live on-campus — which means nearby housing can be essential to the college experience.
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On-campus beds
383
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Students needing off-campus housing
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Setting
City: Small
IN CONTEXT
Briar Cliff University vs. peer institutions
How Briar Cliff University compares with officially identified or editorially reviewed peer institutions.
Briar Cliff University
$23,292
Buena Vista University
$18,156
AFTER GRADUATION
Student outcomes
What graduates earn and how reliably they land work — the bottom-line return on the degree.
Source: College Scorecard 2025
Median earnings · 10 yrs after entry
$54,475
Compared with earnings for graduates of similar universities.
Working after 10 yrs
91.4%
Share of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Earning more than a high-school graduate
81.9%
81.9% of students out-earn the typical high-school graduate — a core measure of mobility.
LIVE HERE
Apartments near Briar Cliff University
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Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with Briar Cliff University.