Briar Cliff vs Clarke
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
DFaith: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City, IACatholic collegeCFaith: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Clarke UniversityDubuque, IACatholic college
At a glance
- Briar Cliff lists Mass once a week; Clarke lists Mass 2 times a week.
- Clarke has the higher graduation rate: 56% against 48% at Briar Cliff.
- For families earning up to $30,000, Briar Cliff has the lower price after aid: $17,764 a year, against $23,405 at Clarke.
- Median debt is lower at Briar Cliff: $23,250, against $26,717 at Clarke.
Catholic life
Faith grade
DFaith: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CFaith: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Compass Score
DCompass Score: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CCompass Score: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Sacramental life
FSacramental life: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CSacramental life: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Theology and core curriculum
DTheology and core curriculum: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
DTheology and core curriculum: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Campus culture and residence life
DCampus culture and residence life: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Service and Catholic social teaching
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CService and Catholic social teaching: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Mass times
Once a week
2 times a week
Confession times
Once a week
Campus ministry
2 listed
2 listed
Religious order or tradition
Franciscan
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Sioux City, IA
Dubuque, IA
Setting
City
City
Students
940
1,025
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
72%
Average SAT
1054
ACT middle 50%
16–24
Graduation rate
48%
56%
First-year retention
64%
67%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$23,907
$24,479
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$17,764
$23,405
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$14,604
$22,543
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$25,516
$22,645
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$30,156
$27,890
Net price, over $110,000 income
$27,328
$24,784
Median debt
$23,250
$26,717
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$54,475
$55,396
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.