Briar Cliff University vs Wartburg College
Briar Cliff University and Wartburg College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Briar Cliff, a private Catholic university, boasts a 90% acceptance rate, while Wartburg, a private Lutheran college, maintains a slightly lower 85% acceptance rate. Briar Cliff's student body is more diverse, with 33% of students identifying as minorities compared to Wartburg's 18%. Both institutions excel in certain academic areas; Briar Cliff is known for its nursing and business programs, while Wartburg is recognized for its strong science and music programs. With graduation rates of 62% and 65% respectively, both universities demonstrate a commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Briar Cliff University |
![]() Wartburg College |
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Overview |
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Location | Sioux City, Iowa | Waverly, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 63.0% | 74.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 82.8% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | 973 - 1198 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 49.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 4,024 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,330 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 413 | |
Yield rate | 12.4% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | N/A |
High school GPA | N/A | Required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Required |
High school transcript | N/A | 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 | $59,890 |
Average net price | $21,734 | $23,022 |
Tuition | $32,526 | $45,200 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,713
Meal plan:
$5,440
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Room/dormitory:
$5,730
Meal plan:
$4,260
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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 |
95.0%
Average amount $34,498 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $5,210 |
72.0%
Average amount $5,442 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $12,375 |
13.0%
Average amount $14,049 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
766
Men 47.4% Women 52.6% |
1,516
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Graduate students |
234
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
25
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 62.6% | 27.7% |
International students | 4.8% | 6.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 571 | 1,409 |
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 | Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 55.7% | 69.9% |
Dropout rate | 44.3% | 29.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
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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Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
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