Briar Cliff University vs. St. Kate's

Comparable Facts

Compare Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA with St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Catherine University is larger than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (3,651 students vs. 947 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); St Catherine University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; St Catherine University 9:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. St. Kate's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or St. Kate's? 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 St Catherine University than Briar Cliff University ($20,918 vs. $23,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Briar Cliff University are 5.5% lower than at St Catherine University ($11,518 vs. $12,188).
• St Catherine University is 39.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Briar Cliff University (about $14,498 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $36,956.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.2% higher at St. Kate's than at Briar Cliff University (about $14,498 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $36,956.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University as at St Catherine University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 41% larger than aid received by Briar Cliff University students ($40,092 vs. $28,425).

Briar Cliff University vs. St. Kate's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's and Briar Cliff University.

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt Catherine University 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt Catherine University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; St. Kate's - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21).

Briar Cliff University vs. St. Kate's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University and St. Kate's? 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).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Briar Cliff University's (45%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Briar Cliff University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Briar Cliff University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($24,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Briar Cliff University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($253 vs. $289).
• More Briar Cliff University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Kate's students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

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.