Briar Cliff University vs Saint Ambrose University
Briar Cliff University and Saint Ambrose University, both esteemed institutions in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Briar Cliff, a private Catholic university in Sioux City, Iowa, boasts a 90% acceptance rate and a student body of around 1,300 undergraduates. Saint Ambrose, a private Catholic university in Davenport, Iowa, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 95% and a larger undergraduate population of approximately 2,200. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate programs, Briar Cliff is known for its strong nursing and education programs, while Saint Ambrose excels in business and communication. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about the differences in tuition, graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Briar Cliff University |
![]() Saint Ambrose University |
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Overview |
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Location | Sioux City, Iowa | Davenport, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 63.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 72.4% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | 1030 - 1190 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 21.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 4,005 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,900 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 493 | |
Yield rate | 17.0% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | N/A |
High school GPA | N/A | Required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Not required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $48,190 | $51,924 |
Average net price | $21,734 | $24,844 |
Tuition | $32,526 | $33,290 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,713
Meal plan:
$5,440
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Room/dormitory:
$7,196
Meal plan:
$4,442
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $25,701 |
100.0%
Average amount $22,790 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $5,210 |
70.0%
Average amount $5,278 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $12,375 |
18.0%
Average amount $14,015 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
766
Men 47.4% Women 52.6% |
2,228
Men 45.3% Women 54.7% |
Graduate students |
234
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
685
Men 27.7% Women 72.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 62.6% | 63.9% |
International students | 4.8% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 571 | 1,688 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Iowa Nebraska Texas Virgin Islands Illinois | Illinois Iowa California Missouri Indiana |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 55.7% | 64.4% |
Dropout rate | 44.3% | 15.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | 19.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
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