Loras College vs Briar Cliff University
Loras College and Briar Cliff University, both esteemed institutions in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Loras, a Catholic liberal arts college, boasts a 90% acceptance rate, while Briar Cliff, a private Catholic university, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 85%. Loras students predominantly pursue degrees in business, education, and health professions, while Briar Cliff students often major in nursing, business, and biology. At Loras, 90% of students reside on campus, fostering a vibrant community, while Briar Cliff's 60% on-campus population allows for a more diverse living experience. With Loras' 65% graduation rate and Briar Cliff's 55% graduation rate, both institutions are committed to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Briar Cliff University |
![]() Loras College |
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Overview |
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Location | Sioux City, Iowa | Dubuque, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
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% | 78.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 72.0% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 2,086 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,501 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 296 | |
Yield rate | 19.7% | |
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 | $45,563 |
Average net price | $21,734 | $20,068 |
Tuition | $32,526 | $33,500 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,713
Meal plan:
$5,440
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Room/dormitory:
$4,000
Meal plan:
$4,760
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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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 $26,765 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $5,210 |
64.0%
Average amount $5,320 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $12,375 |
17.0%
Average amount $8,551 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
766
Men 47.4% Women 52.6% |
1,296
Men 57.3% Women 42.7% |
Graduate students |
234
Men 31.6% Women 68.4% |
90
Men 28.9% Women 71.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 62.6% | 69.3% |
International students | 4.8% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 571 | 783 |
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 Wisconsin Florida Missouri |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 55.7% | 68.0% |
Dropout rate | 44.3% | 31.5% |
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)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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