Colorado College vs. Briar Cliff University

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

Colorado College Briar Cliff University
Location Colorado Springs, CO Sioux City, IA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 2,173 940
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #72
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website coloradocollege.edu briarcliff.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colorado College Briar Cliff University
Tuition (In State) $67,458 $34,176
Tuition (Out of State) $67,458 $34,176
Room & Board $15,228 $10,208
Avg Net Price $35,281 $23,292
Avg Grant Aid $47,947 $26,325
% Receiving Grant Aid 56% 98%

Admission

Colorado College Briar Cliff University
Applied 7,532 -
Admitted 1,509 -
Acceptance Rate 20% Open
Enrolled % 34.3% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.98 3.21
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Exceptional Unavailable
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 31/34
SAT Range 1365/1520
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Colorado College Briar Cliff University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (29%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Colorado College Briar Cliff University
Graduation Rate 88% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 88% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $211 $253

Diversity

Colorado College Briar Cliff University
% Men 0% 6%
% Women 1% 15%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 73%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 9% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 9% 2%
% International 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

Colorado College Briar Cliff University
% In-State 19% 33%
% Out-of-State 77% 46%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Colorado College is larger than than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (2,173 students vs. 940 students)

Colorado College vs. Briar Cliff University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College or Briar Cliff University?

  • Colorado College is 97.4% more expensive to attend than Briar Cliff University for in-state tuition ($67,458.00 vs. $34,176.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 97.4% higher at Colorado College than Briar Cliff University ($67,458.00 vs. $34,176.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Briar Cliff University than Colorado College ($23,292 vs. $35,281)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Briar Cliff University are 49.2% lower than costs at Colorado College ($10,208 vs. $15,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Briar Cliff University than Colorado College (98% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 82.1% larger than aid received Briar Cliff University ($47,947 vs. $26,325)

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado College 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 Colorado College .

  • Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21)

Colorado College vs. Briar Cliff University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colorado College 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 Colorado College.

  • The graduation rate at Colorado College is higher than Briar Cliff University (88% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Colorado College earn on average $3,500 more per year than Briar Cliff University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $42,500)
  • Colorado College students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Briar Cliff University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,500)
  • Colorado College graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Briar Cliff University graduates. ($211 vs. $253)
  • More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Briar Cliff University students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 66%)

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