Morningside University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Sioux City, Iowa. It enrolls 1,163 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
52/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes33
Value12
Affordability33
Selectivity60
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 71%, Morningside University is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
71%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Morningside University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
7.5 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Morningside University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $31,320 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$31,320
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
34%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
66%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$39,660
Room & Board (on-campus)
$11,650
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,510
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,220
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,220
Total Cost of Attendance
$52,577
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$33,738
$30,001 – $48,000
$21,201
$48,001 – $75,000
$19,124
$75,001 – $110,000
$20,575
Over $110,000
$41,981
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,25010%percentile
$6,50025%percentile
$26,028Medianpercentile
$27,75075%percentile
$32,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $17,313
↓ $8,715
No Pell $15,000
↓ $11,028
Dependent students $17,950
↓ $8,078
Independent students $10,036
↓ $15,992
Female students $16,500
↓ $9,528
Male students $14,500
↓ $11,528
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,250, less than completers ($26,028), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
57% of full-time students who enrolled at Morningside University graduate within six years, and 72% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
57%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
72%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Morningside University earn a median of $55,494 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$55,494
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$41,800
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$55,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$46,600
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$46,500
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$50,000
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $13,300, about 24% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
7.4 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 90% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Morningside University is home to 1,163 students, a small, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
1,163
Part-Time
4%
First-Generation
23%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 54.3%632
Hispanic 10.2%119
International 8.1%94
Black 3.6%42
Other 3.4%40
Asian 1.0%11
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Morningside University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CitySioux City, Iowa
Housing
Strongly residential860 beds for 1,163 students
Adult Learners
6%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Morningside University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
41 distinct programs across
18 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Morningside University is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$100M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$65,747
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
71 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
17
24%
$77,590
Associate Professors
26
37%
$63,561
Assistant Professors
21
30%
$62,057
Instructors
7
10%
$56,179
Pros & Cons of Morningside University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Morningside University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Modest first-year retention
Most students take on federal loans
Best for:
Based on the data, Morningside University is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Morningside University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Morningside University.
Is Morningside University hard to get into?
Admissions at Morningside University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 71%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Morningside University?
Morningside University has an acceptance rate of 71%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Morningside University cost?
The average net price after aid at Morningside University is $31,320 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Morningside University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $55,494 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $31,320 per year. That's roughly 1.8x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Morningside University known for?
Morningside University is best known for its programs in Special Education, Business Administration, Teacher Education (K-12). These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Morningside University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Morningside University are $55,494, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Morningside University accredited?
Yes. Morningside University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Morningside University?
Morningside University enrolls 1,163 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Morningside University?
Morningside University graduates 57% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Morningside University a public or private college?
Morningside University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Morningside University located?
Morningside University is located in Sioux City, Iowa.
What programs does Morningside University offer?
Morningside University offers 41 distinct programs. The most popular include Special Education, Business Administration, Teacher Education (K-12).
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Morningside University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Morningside University is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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