CSU-Pueblo vs. SC

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Pueblo in Pueblo, CO with Sterling College in Sterling, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Pueblo is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (6,851 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Pueblo is located in Pueblo, CO (Midsize City setting); Sterling College is in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Colorado State University Pueblo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Pueblo 16:1; Sterling College 8:1.

CSU-Pueblo vs. SC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU-Pueblo or SC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado State University Pueblo than SC ($13,079 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 20.8% lower than at Colorado State University Pueblo ($9,586 vs. $12,100).
• Sterling College is 246.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU-Pueblo (about $23,980 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $9,720.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.8% higher at SC than at Colorado State University Pueblo (about $15,756 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $17,944.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Colorado State University Pueblo (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 112.7% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Pueblo students ($23,673 vs. $11,130).

CSU-Pueblo vs. SC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU-Pueblo or SC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SC and CSU-Pueblo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 40 points higher than at CSU-Pueblo (990).
• Incoming CSU-Pueblo students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Pueblo 870/1100; Sterling College 938/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Pueblo 19/25; Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU-Pueblo - Test optional; SC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU-Pueblo Aug 1, 2027; SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at CSU-Pueblo (3.3).
• CSU-Pueblo has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at CSU-Pueblo vs. 30.4% at SC.

CSU-Pueblo vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU-Pueblo and SC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Colorado State University Pueblo's (32%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Pueblo graduates have a $4,913 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, CSU-Pueblo graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($204 vs. $255).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU-Pueblo students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.