Clarke University vs Briar Cliff University: which has better ROI?
Clarke University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,916 in 13.9 years versus 15.6 years at Briar Cliff University, on median earnings of $55,396 vs $54,475 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Clarke University | Briar Cliff University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,479 | $23,907 |
| Total net cost | $97,916 | $95,628 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,396 | $54,475 |
| Median debt | $26,717 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 13.9 yrs | 15.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $42,804 | $26,672 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Clarke University or Briar Cliff University?
Briar Cliff University, at $23,907 a year after aid versus $24,479 — a gap of $572 a year, or $2,288 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Clarke University or Briar Cliff University graduates earn more?
Clarke University graduates report a median $55,396 ten years after entry, $921 more than the $54,475 at Briar Cliff University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Clarke University or Briar Cliff University?
Briar Cliff University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $26,717 at Clarke University, a difference of $3,467. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Clarke University, against 48% at Briar Cliff University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.