About Morningside University
Morningside University has built a reputation for excellence in music and education since 1894. The Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college enrolls 1,166 students in Sioux City, Iowa. Music programs here consistently produce accomplished performers and educators. The education department prepares teachers who go on to lead classrooms across the Midwest. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know their students by name.
Students pay an average net price of $23,169 after financial aid brings down the $38,190 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $55,494 ten years after leaving campus. That means the typical monthly loan payment of $276 represents a manageable portion of post-graduation income. About 32% of students receive institutional grants averaging $25,011. The numbers work better for families earning under $75,000, who pay net prices around $21,000.
Athletics matter here with 643 student-athletes competing across 19 varsity sports. The Mustangs receive $3.3 million in athletic scholarships annually. Nearly 99% of graduates find employment after college. The 70% acceptance rate makes admission accessible while maintaining academic standards. About 46% of students come from Iowa, creating a tight-knit campus community where regional connections run deep.
Students pay an average net price of $23,169 after financial aid brings down the $38,190 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $55,494 ten years after leaving campus. That means the typical monthly loan payment of $276 represents a manageable portion of post-graduation income. About 32% of students receive institutional grants averaging $25,011. The numbers work better for families earning under $75,000, who pay net prices around $21,000.
Athletics matter here with 643 student-athletes competing across 19 varsity sports. The Mustangs receive $3.3 million in athletic scholarships annually. Nearly 99% of graduates find employment after college. The 70% acceptance rate makes admission accessible while maintaining academic standards. About 46% of students come from Iowa, creating a tight-knit campus community where regional connections run deep.
Academics & Faculty
Morningside University operates as a Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college where students explore broad academic foundations alongside specialized programs. The school has built a strong reputation for its music and education programs, which attract students from across the Midwest. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, professors can provide personalized attention in small classroom settings. However, the 52.80% six-year graduation rate suggests that some students struggle to complete their degrees on time. The liberal arts curriculum encourages students to study across disciplines before focusing on their major. Education majors benefit from extensive field experience in local schools, while music students perform regularly in the college's active arts scene.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 54.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 52.8%
- Retention Rate
- 69.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $55,494
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,479 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $55,806 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $52,843 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,728 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $40,179 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,523 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $38,906 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $28,019 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $27,669 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
Campus Life
Morningside's 69-acre campus sits in Sioux City, a river town of 85,000 people about 100 miles south of Sioux Falls. You'll need a heavy winter coat for Iowa's frigid winters and brutal wind chills. The campus houses 860 students, meaning roughly three-quarters of the 1,166 enrolled live on campus in residence halls that foster tight-knit community bonds.
With 643 student-athletes competing in 19 varsity sports, game days bring significant energy to campus life. The Mustangs compete in NAIA athletics, and athletic scholarships totaling over $3.3 million help many students afford attendance. Weekends often center around sporting events, music performances, and campus activities organized through the United Methodist tradition of service and fellowship. Students frequently venture downtown to Sioux City's Historic Fourth Street for dining and entertainment, or cross into neighboring South Dakota and Nebraska for regional adventures. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and weekend study groups are common in the library or residence hall lounges.
With 643 student-athletes competing in 19 varsity sports, game days bring significant energy to campus life. The Mustangs compete in NAIA athletics, and athletic scholarships totaling over $3.3 million help many students afford attendance. Weekends often center around sporting events, music performances, and campus activities organized through the United Methodist tradition of service and fellowship. Students frequently venture downtown to Sioux City's Historic Fourth Street for dining and entertainment, or cross into neighboring South Dakota and Nebraska for regional adventures. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and weekend study groups are common in the library or residence hall lounges.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 860 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1894
Campus Safety (2023)
11 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 8°–29°F
- July Avg
- 63°–85°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 30.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 36.0"
Student Demographics
Morningside draws students who value close-knit campus communities and personal attention from professors. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment where students build meaningful relationships with faculty. About 45% come from Iowa, reflecting the university's strong regional reputation particularly for teacher preparation and music programs. The remaining students travel from across the Midwest seeking a Methodist-rooted liberal arts education. With 32% receiving Pell Grants, the university serves many first-generation college students and families seeking affordable private education. The nearly even gender split reflects diverse academic offerings beyond traditional liberal arts strengths.
- Men
- 48.5%
- Women
- 51.5%
- White
- 58.1%
- Black
- 4.0%
- Hispanic
- 9.0%
- Asian
- 1.2%
- In-State Students
- 45.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 31.5%
Location
Morningside University sits in Sioux City, Iowa, a river city of about 85,000 people along the Missouri River. The campus lies roughly 100 miles north of Omaha and 185 miles northwest of Des Moines. Sioux City straddles the borders of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, creating a tri-state metropolitan area. The region features rolling prairie landscapes typical of the Great Plains. With 1,166 students, Morningside represents a significant presence in this mid-sized city that blends industrial heritage with modern healthcare and education sectors. The Missouri River provides recreational opportunities, while downtown Sioux City offers restaurants, entertainment, and internship possibilities within walking distance of campus. Students considering colleges in Iowa may also compare Morningside University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Sioux City, Iowa 51106-1751
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $55,494
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $61,335
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $38,000
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 73.8%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,028
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Morningside University?
Morningside University accepts 70.61% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college draws students seeking a close-knit academic community with its 12:1 student-faculty ratio.
How much does Morningside University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $23,169 after financial aid, lower than the full tuition of $38,190. The college provides institutional grants averaging $25,011 to about 32% of students, helping make this private education more accessible.
What academic programs is Morningside University known for?
Morningside University has built a strong reputation in music and education programs within its liberal arts framework. With 1,166 students and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, the college emphasizes personalized attention in its academic offerings.
What are the career outcomes for Morningside University graduates?
Graduates achieve a 98.7% employment rate and earn a median salary of $55,494 ten years after graduation. However, the 52.80% six-year graduation rate suggests some students need extra time to complete their degrees at this small Iowa college.
Where is Morningside University located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in Sioux City, Iowa, housing 860 students in on-campus facilities that cost $11,204 annually. With 19 varsity sports teams and 643 total athletes, the Mustangs compete actively despite the college's small size of 1,166 students.
How diverse is the student body at Morningside University?
The student body is 58.06% white with growing diversity including 9.01% Hispanic and 4.03% Black students. About 45.81% of students come from Iowa, while the rest bring perspectives from other states to this Methodist-affiliated campus.
