About Briar Cliff University

Founded in 1930, Briar Cliff University. is a Private college. Located in Iowa, which is a city setting in Iowa, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 1,117 full time undergraduate students, and 199 full time graduate students.

The Briar Cliff University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 65 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Briar Cliff University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate100%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at BCU are considered , with ,5% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

68% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 32% were in the top quarter, and 11% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Briar Cliff University.

17%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
17%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
67%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
17%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
83%
“I feel extremely safe”
0%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
17%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
50%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
17%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
17%
“They keep regular office hours”
67%
“They”re always available”
83%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
17%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
17%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
50%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
17%
“We only party on weekends”
17%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
33%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
33%
“There might be people who do”
17%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
17%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
17%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
17%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
67%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
17%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
83%
“I feel extremely safe”
0%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
17%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
50%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
17%
“We”re a very artistic group”
17%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
17%
“They keep regular office hours”
67%
“They”re always available”
83%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
17%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
17%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
50%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
17%
“We only party on weekends”
17%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
33%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
33%
“There might be people who do”
17%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
17%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    14 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    9 Students rated off-campus housing 3.3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    15 Students rated campus food 3 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    16 Students rated campus facilities 3.7 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    16 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 63 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    16 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    16 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    16 Students rated academics 3.7 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

Briar Cliff University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Briar Cliff University?

6 Students rated Briar Cliff University

B - 03/29/2020

It is well known that the acdemic advisors are writing reviews for these sites. This place is beyond pathetic. I'm transferring to a real university at end of semester. Faculty suck, services ae terrible and people here couldn't get into other places. Don't bother. Hopefully this place will go away and stop taking peoples money. No education just ridiculous place.

Samantha - 04/18/2019

These other reviews are fake. This place sucks! Very few students are at Briar Cliff to learn and most of the courses are meaningless. I wish the dorms better and the food is laughable. The employees are disorganized and can’t answer any questions and don’t seem to want to help you unless they want money. Don’t fool yourself. Go to a better school and don’t go 50 thousand in debt for a bad education.

Ashley - 04/17/2019

My overall opinion is that Briar Cliff University is a very fun and good place to go to for a good education. The professors are always there for students that need help whenever they have a question that needs to be answered. The students at Briar Cliff are very friendly and very easy to get along with.

Marie - 10/19/2018

I love the opportunities and overall culture at the University. There is a wide range of different ethnic groups, religions, and quite a few international students from all around the world. There are a large number of clubs to join, and we highly encourage people to volunteer in the city. It's overall just a really fun and amazing place to learn, socialize, and make memories.

Briar Cliff University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Briar Cliff University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Briar Cliff University is 100%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would tell a high school student and their parents that there are many different oppourtunities out there. There will be pros and cons with every place that you choose to go. The students need to decide what things are more important to them and then find the place that has those qualities.

    Read all 16 answers

  3. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    When I came to Briar Cliff, I wish I would have known how to use the rescources that the school provides - known how to help myself - instead of constantly struggling alone or asking those around me for advice or directions.

    Read all 6 answers

  4. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A pre-med major or business major

    Read all 5 answers

  5. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Briar Cliff is truly a community, with the students faculty and stafff united with a common goal- academic success and the pursuit of life-enriching opportunities through great classes and a steady Franciscan Catholic presence to give it support.

    Read all 4 answers

  6. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates mainly come from privileged backgrounds, are younger than 21, and are (for the most part) very hard working individuals.

    Read all 4 answers

  7. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    When I first saw Briar Clif on the hill, I felt at home. I then was showed the campus and everyone who passed me was nice and said hello. I felt at home and I was.

    Read all 4 answers

  8. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    I dont think that there are no one type of person. I believe that anyone can attent this university. If you were to walk around the campus, you would see a very strong diversity of people. Everyone belongs here.

    Read all 3 answers

  9. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Briar Cliff University is a small school. Less than 1,200 students are on campus in a year. It's a different environment because of the small-community mentality mixed with college life. It feels a lot like high school, and the worst thing about this is that it puts you in situations that are a lot like high school dramas; cat fights, rumors, and bullying are known to make an apperance on campus. However, the community of Briar Cliff is also very homey, it just really depends on what you like.

    Read all 3 answers

  10. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    With classes offered only every other year, must take the class when it is offered

    Read all 3 answers

  11. Describe a day on campus you'll never forget.

    We had a hypnotist and many games. It was great.

    Read all 2 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    Everybody knows everybody and there is a sense of safety and security. We are not afraid to walk around campus at night. This is a good thing because then the students are not scared and they can live how they want and come and go as they please.

    Read all 2 answers

  13. What are the most popular classes offered?

    Bowling is a favorite or theology of Harry Potter.

    Read all 1 answers

  14. What are your classes like?

    just fine

    Read all 1 answers

  15. What do students complain about most?

    Students complain about the food a lot, it isn't that bad.

    Read all 1 answers

  16. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    That we are stuck up.

    Read all 1 answers

  17. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I really like this school because they are very flexible and are very helpful in getting me on track to graduate in 4 years with 3 majors.

    Read all 1 answers

  18. What are some hot-button issues on campus?

    Right now, two long term couples broke up and that didn't take long to become a controversial topic.

    Read all 1 answers

  19. Describe your school to someone who's never heard of it.

    Our school is a tight-knit community on top of a hill looking over the city. We emphasize service and you will not go a day without passing by a smiling face!

    Read all 1 answers

  20. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    The school I attend is best known for their Fransician vaules.

    Read all 1 answers

  21. Describe the dorms.

    The dorms are great size for a college dorm and there is more storage than you could even imagine filling.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

56%

female

44%

male

1,117

Total Undergrad Enrollment

199

Total Grad Students

47%

Out-Of-State

46%

In-State

7%

International

Organizations

36

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

49%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
2%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
8%
% Hispanic/Latino
14%
% White or Caucasian
69%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

98% of students attending Briar Cliff University receive some sort of financial aid. 47% were awarded federal grants. While 90% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$28,788

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,253

Books and Supplies

$8,674

Room and Board

38,715

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$15,626
$30 - $48K
$18,583
$48 - $75K
$17,761
$75 - $110K
$19,220
$110K & UP
$20,954

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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