Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Sioux City, Iowa
Briar Cliff University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.21Avg GPA
$49,693Annual Cost
$54,475Grad Salary
29.5%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.21
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
29.5% receive Pell
Briar Cliff University is a private, Catholic institution in Iowa that provides a values-based liberal arts education with a strong focus on professional development and community service. Known for its supportive environment, small class sizes, and commitment to academic excellence, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Its mission-driven approach encourages students to integrate their faith and personal values with their professional aspirations, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a holistic, mission-focused undergraduate experience.
Briar Cliff University Acceptance Rate
Briar Cliff University maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.21 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.01 – 3.20
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.76
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Briar Cliff University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Briar Cliff University is 3.21. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.41-3.61 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.91 and 3.21, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Briar Cliff University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Briar Cliff University utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.21, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.21 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.01 – 3.20
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.81 – 3.00
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.80
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Acceptance rate estimates vary meaningfully by source (roughly 60% to reports of near-100%) - don't rely on a single number; verify current-cycle selectivity directly with admissions.
- Average GPA of admitted students clusters around 3.15?3.21, with test scores (SAT/ACT) still functioning as a required, not optional, component per the school's own reporting.
- Briar Cliff is a Franciscan Catholic university (sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration) organized around four named values: service, caring for all, reverence of creation, and peacemaking.
- Nursing is the flagship/most-enrolled program; students targeting it should expect the transcript science-course rigor to be weighted heavily in review.
- The Rigor Metric: At Briar Cliff University, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Briar Cliff University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Briar Cliff University's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Briar Cliff University Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Briar Cliff University Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Briar Cliff University is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Briar Cliff University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Briar Cliff University provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Test scores are not optional here - treat them as a first-tier lever
Unlike most small private schools that have gone test-optional, Briar Cliff's own data source still lists test scores as required, and a strong score functionally overrides a weak GPA (a 24 ACT / 1090 SAT pushes acceptance odds toward near-certain even against a below-average transcript). If a student's GPA sits at or below the school's 3.15?3.21 average, prioritize an ACT/SAT retake over polishing extracurriculars - this school's evaluation model rewards that trade more than most peer Catholic colleges.
Target the Trustee-level scholarship threshold explicitly, don't just apply and hope
Briar Cliff's top merit scholarship tier requires a minimum 3.75 GPA plus a 1170 SAT (or 26 ACT composite) and demonstrated leadership - this is an automatic-consideration threshold, not a separate application, so a student sitting at 3.7/25 should retake the ACT even a single point to cross into the top aid bracket before the priority scholarship review date, since crossing that line changes the aid package, not just the odds of admission.
Catholic-parish applicants: the Diocese of Sioux City scholarship needs a priest's endorsement, arranged early
A parish-based scholarship (min. 3.25 GPA, top-quarter class rank, 1100 SAT/24 ACT) requires the applicant to belong to a parish within the Diocese of Sioux City AND have their priest's explicit support - this isn't a form field, it's a relationship a student needs to build with their parish priest months before the deadline, not something to request the week applications are due.
Frame the essay and activities list around the four Franciscan values, not generic "well-roundedness"
Briar Cliff is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration and explicitly organizes its identity around four Franciscan values: service, caring for all, reverence of creation, and peacemaking. Application essays and activity descriptions that explicitly connect a student's service work, environmental stewardship, or peacemaking/conflict-resolution experience to these four named values will read as a stronger institutional fit than generic community-service language that could apply to any Catholic school.
Expert Insight:
Because Briar Cliff's overall acceptance rate sits in the 60?100% range depending on source, families often treat every scholarship as "automatic if admitted" - but the top merit tiers and parish-based awards have hard, separate GPA/test/leadership or clergy-endorsement thresholds that must be documented before a priority deadline. Missing that separate scholarship paperwork after being admitted is the single costliest mistake families make here, since admission and merit aid are evaluated on different timelines.
Briar Cliff University Profile
Full Name
Briar Cliff University
City
Sioux City
State
Iowa
ZIP Code
51104
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Briar Cliff University Degree Worth It?
Getting into Briar Cliff University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Briar Cliff University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Briar Cliff University is $55,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.62%.
How much does a degree from Briar Cliff University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Briar Cliff University is $49,693. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Briar Cliff University is much less than this.
29.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 55 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Briar Cliff University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Briar Cliff University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Briar Cliff University as your choice in the form.
How much does a Briar Cliff University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $54,475. An average Briar Cliff University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Briar Cliff University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Briar Cliff University →
Frequently Asked Questions About Briar Cliff University Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $54,475 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $49,693 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
29.5% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.21. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.91, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.91, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.81 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.21, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.