Blue Cliff College-Alexandria: 479 Students

479Students

33%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$22,177Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About Blue Cliff College-Alexandria

Blue Cliff College focuses entirely on getting students job-ready in healthcare and technical fields. The school trains 479 students in small-city Alexandria, emphasizing hands-on career preparation over traditional academics. Nearly all students come from Louisiana, with 93% studying in-state.

Students pay around $22,485 after financial aid, regardless of family income. That's a steep price for graduates who earn a median of $22,177 ten years later. With typical debt of $9,500, monthly loan payments run about $101. The math doesn't work in students' favor when starting salaries average just $18,242. Only 38% of borrowers are successfully paying down their loans.

This is overwhelmingly a women's college, with 95% female enrollment. The student body is 55% white and 38% Black. With a 30:1 student-faculty ratio, expect large classes despite the career focus. The 33% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete programs. However, 89% of graduates do find employment, which aligns with the school's practical mission. About 81% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating most come from low-income families seeking career advancement through technical training.

Academics & Faculty

Blue Cliff College focuses on hands-on healthcare and technical training that gets students job-ready quickly. The school specializes in programs like medical assisting, massage therapy, and cosmetology that lead directly to professional certifications. With 95.20% of students being women, the college has built a strong reputation in fields where female professionals thrive. Students work with a 30:1 student-faculty ratio, which means less individual attention than traditional colleges offer. The 32.50% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many career college students face balancing work and school. However, an 88.9% employment rate shows the programs successfully connect graduates to jobs in their chosen fields.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 30:1
Full-Time Faculty: 47.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 32.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $22,177

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$18,855
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$17,109
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services.	Certificate	$14,692
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	Certificate	$14,475

View all 6 programs →

Campus Life

The 479 students at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria navigate a small city campus about 130 miles northwest of Baton Rouge. With 95.20% female enrollment, the hallways and classrooms buzz with women pursuing healthcare and technical careers. Louisiana's subtropical climate means students pack light jackets for brief winter months and plenty of summer gear for the humid, 90-degree stretches that dominate the academic year.

Campus life centers around intensive program work rather than traditional college activities. The 30:1 student-faculty ratio means large classes focused on hands-on training. Since 93.02% of students come from Louisiana, many commute from nearby parishes rather than living on campus. Weekend social life is limited, with most students working part-time jobs or clinical rotations. The employment rate of 88.9% reflects the school's job-training focus. Students spend more time in labs and simulation rooms than student centers. Alexandria's downtown offers basic dining and shopping, but this isn't a college town atmosphere. Most social connections happen through study groups and program cohorts.

Setting: City-Small

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 38°–58°F
July Avg: 73°–92°F
Annual Precipitation: 60.9"
Annual Snowfall: -777.4"

Student Demographics

Blue Cliff College draws overwhelmingly female students seeking hands-on healthcare and technical training. Women make up 95% of enrollment, reflecting the school's focus on nursing, medical assisting, and massage therapy programs. Nearly all students come from Louisiana, suggesting strong local connections with healthcare employers in the Alexandria area. The student body is racially diverse, with significant representation from both white and Black communities. Most students qualify for Pell Grants, indicating the school serves working-class families looking for affordable pathways into stable healthcare careers.

Men: 4.8%
Women: 95.2%
White: 54.7%
Black: 37.8%
Hispanic: 1.0%
Asian: 1.0%
In-State Students: 93.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 80.9%

Location

Blue Cliff College sits in Alexandria, Louisiana, roughly 180 miles northwest of New Orleans and 200 miles south of Shreveport. Alexandria serves as the geographic center of Louisiana with a population around 45,000 people. The city anchors central Louisiana's Rapides Parish along the Red River. With 93.02% of students coming from in-state, most know the area's mix of small-city amenities and rural Louisiana culture. Alexandria offers lower living costs than major Louisiana metros while maintaining access to healthcare systems where many graduates find work. The region blends Creole and Cajun influences with traditional Southern culture. Students considering colleges in Louisiana may also compare Blue Cliff College-Alexandria with similar schools in the region.

Address: Alexandria, Louisiana 71301

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $22,177
Median Earnings (5 years): $23,439
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $19,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 38.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $101/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,500

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria?

Blue Cliff College-Alexandria focuses on career readiness rather than traditional academic selectivity for its healthcare and technical programs. With 479 students enrolled, the college prioritizes hands-on training over standardized test scores. The school draws 93% of its students from Louisiana, reflecting its role as a local workforce development institution.

What does Blue Cliff College-Alexandria cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $22,485 annually after financial aid. About 81% of students receive financial assistance, with the same percentage qualifying for Pell Grants. Monthly loan payments average just $101, making this career-focused education relatively affordable for working-class students.

What are class sizes like at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 30:1, which is higher than typical for hands-on technical training. However, the college specializes in healthcare and technical programs that require intensive practical instruction. With 95% of students being women, the college serves as a pathway into nursing and allied health careers.

What job prospects do Blue Cliff College-Alexandria graduates have?

Graduates achieve an 89% employment rate, demonstrating strong job placement in healthcare fields. However, median earnings of $22,177 ten years after graduation reflect the entry-level nature of many technical positions. The college's focus on practical skills training helps students enter the workforce quickly in high-demand healthcare roles.

Where is Blue Cliff College-Alexandria located?

The college operates in Alexandria, Louisiana, a small city setting that serves the central Louisiana region. This location provides access to healthcare facilities and technical employers throughout the area. The small-city environment offers lower living costs while students complete their career-focused programs.

How successful are students at completing their programs at Blue Cliff College-Alexandria?

The six-year graduation rate is 33%, which reflects challenges common among working students in career programs. Many students balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing healthcare certifications. The college's practical focus helps those who do graduate enter the workforce quickly, though completion rates suggest academic support could be strengthened.