Briar Cliff vs Loras
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 collegeBFaith: 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.Loras CollegeDubuque, IACatholic college
At a glance
- Briar Cliff lists Mass once a week; Loras lists Mass every weekday.
- Loras has the higher graduation rate: 68% against 48% at Briar Cliff.
- For families earning $48,001 to $75,000, Loras has the lower price after aid: $15,624 a year, against $25,516 at Briar Cliff.
- The average price after aid is lower at Loras: $20,716 a year, against $23,907 at Briar Cliff.
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.
BFaith: 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.
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.
BCompass Score: 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.
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.
BCampus culture and residence life: 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.
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.
AService and Catholic social teaching: Strong (grade A): 85 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
Every weekday
Confession times
Once a week
Eucharistic adoration
5 times 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
1,213
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.
BAcademic Excellence: 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.
Admission rate
100%
Graduation rate
48%
68%
First-year retention
64%
82%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$23,907
$20,716
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$17,764
$20,479
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$14,604
$17,033
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$25,516
$15,624
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$30,156
$20,233
Net price, over $110,000 income
$27,328
$23,039
Median debt
$23,250
$26,000
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$54,475
$58,289
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.