Briar Cliff University (BCU)

Perched atop a hill ("The Cliff") in Sioux City, Iowa, Briar Cliff University operates within a Catholic liberal arts perspective, and teaches those who attend to embody four Franciscan values: service, caring for all, reverence of creation, and peacemaking. The university provides a broad education on top of field-specific programs, thus "creating well-rounded individuals ready for the work force." Students can choose from more than thirty majors (or even combine majors) and benefit from a 12:1 faculty-to-student ratio that "allows you to really focus on the coursework and becoming a professional." At the end of four years, Briar Cliff students will have completed a quality, one-on-one education that allows them "to grow through diversity, cultural opportunities, and by giving back to the community." Professors here are dynamic and make classes interactive, and they are usually very good at explaining material on a level the student can understand "while still pushing the student to grasp new concepts and dive deeper into concepts that are already understood." "Time flies by in every class because even the topics that I would usually find boring become interesting thanks to the professors," says one student. There is "an abundance of support to help...students to succeed," and all here are treated as "individuals rather than numbers." Students have the ability to talk to their professors "essentially whenever you have time" and value "not having to go through TAs and graduate students."

Briar Cliff's small campus is "great, because you can get up for your 8:00 a.m. [class] at 7:45 and still be on time." It is rare to walk across campus "without having some kind of acquaintance greet you warmly and/or hold the door open for you." Speaking of which, "everyone leaves their doors open, and we all pass by and talk with each other and hang out." If you're an athlete (and most people here are), "life at Briar Cliff consists mostly of class and practice," but there is "also plenty of free time to do work or get away from school for awhile." With many hiking areas and other activities within walking distance, students are "constantly going out to eat with each other or doing something fun on and off campus." The vast majority of the student body also "keep a routine workout schedule." Though students are in love with the school, it is almost universally agreed that Briar Cliff "is lacking in the facilities department." Briar Cliff's 1,200 students keep thirty clubs and organizations humming along, and the school "works well with the local young professionals group" to provide experience. To maintain these numbers, the majority of students "are involved in two, three, or more activities" outside of their area of study. This interconnectivity "means that students know each other, making it feel like a small-town atmosphere."

The teachers and rest of the faculty are great, but the student body is truly one of a kind, says a Briar Cliff student. This the Franciscan Midwest, and "everyone is so nice." "You never pass anyone without a smile. There is always someone willing to lend a helping hand," says one student. Differences such as sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, major, and political affiliation "are recognized and encouraged." Most come to this tight-knit campus not knowing anyone, "yet after only a few, short weeks you feel as if you know everyone." It's "almost like a surrogate family for those that come from different states." "Some schools have cliques like the jocks or the nerds but at Briar Cliff the only clique is the whole student body," a student explains.