K-State vs. SC

Should I go to Kansas State University or Sterling College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if K-State or SC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Kansas State University vs. Sterling College comparison
Kansas State University Sterling College College 3 College 4
Kansas State University
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Overview

K-State SC
Location Manhattan, KS Sterling, KS
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 19,722 706
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website k-state.edu sterling.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

K-State SC
Tuition (In State) $9,489 $28,500
Tuition (Out of State) $25,560 $28,500
Room & Board $10,100 $9,336
Avg Net Price $18,855 $22,680
Avg Grant Aid $8,537 $19,729
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

K-State SC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,706 1,959
Admitted 9,234 1,197
Acceptance Rate 95.1% 61.1%
Enrolled % 31.5% 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.46
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 938/1123
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025

Academics

K-State SC
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Agriculture (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)

Outcomes

K-State SC
Graduation Rate 56% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,700 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,663
Median Loan Payment $232 $255

Diversity

K-State SC
% Men 47% 59%
% Women 53% 41%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 78% 68%
% Black 4% 11%
% Hispanic 7% 15%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

K-State SC
% In-State 75% 37%
% Out-of-State 24% 53%

Campus

K-State SC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Kansas State University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (19,722 students vs. 706 students)

K-State vs. SC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, K-State or SC?

  • Sterling College is 200.3% more expensive to attend than K-State for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $9,489.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.5% higher at SC than Kansas State University ($28,500.00 vs. $25,560.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kansas State University than SC ($18,855 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 8.2% lower than costs at Kansas State University ($9,336 vs. $10,100)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Kansas State University (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 131.1% larger than aid received Kansas State University ($19,729 vs. $8,537)

K-State vs. SC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, K-State or SC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SC or K-State .

  • Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at SC (3.46)
  • K-State has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than SC (61.1%)

K-State vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, K-State or SC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SC and K-State.

  • The graduation rate at K-State is higher than Sterling College (56% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Kansas State University earn on average $12,300 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($49,700 vs. $37,400)
  • Kansas State University students graduate with a $2,163 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,663)
  • K-State graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($232 vs. $255)
  • More K-State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/