Morningside University

Private · Moderately Selective · IA

Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, M.D. (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationIA · Midwest

SettingUrban

Undergrads1,163

Student:faculty12:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate41.4%

6-yr grad rate50.1%

Drop-out rate25.8%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$40k

Out-of-state tuition$40k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity45.7%

Gender diversity51.2%

International8.1%

IdentityUnited Methodist

Overview

Morningside University is a private university with Methodist roots in Sioux City, Iowa. It is known both for professional academic programs and for a strong NAIA athletics tradition that shapes much of campus identity.

Academics

Nursing, education, and applied business are Morningside's core academic strengths, taught with the practical, career-ready orientation typical of small regional universities. Class sizes are small and faculty access is close.

Campus & student life

Athletics are a defining part of Morningside's culture — its football program has won multiple NAIA national championships, and that success carries real weight in campus spirit and identity. Sioux City gives students a modest-sized city setting with some internship access beyond the campus itself.

Getting in

Morningside's admissions process is access-oriented rather than highly selective, and athletic recruitment is a significant channel given the university's competitive NAIA programs.

Worth knowing

The football program's national-championship pedigree is a genuine and unusual point of pride for a school this size, and athletics recruiting shapes a meaningful share of the student body.

morningside.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate71%

Enrolled mid-50%—

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying