SC vs. Adrian College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Adrian College in Adrian, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Adrian College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (1,765 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Adrian College is in Adrian, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Adrian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Adrian College 16:1.

SC vs. Adrian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Adrian College? 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 Sterling College than Adrian College ($23,531 vs. $25,922).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 52.7% lower than at Adrian College ($9,586 vs. $20,260).
• Adrian College is 23.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $7,984 more per year; $41,684.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at Adrian College than at Sterling College (about $7,984 more per year; $41,684.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Adrian College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Adrian College students is 26.6% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($29,966 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. Adrian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC or Adrian College? 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 Adrian College and SC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 20 points higher than at Adrian College (1010).
• Incoming Adrian College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at SC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Adrian College 873/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Adrian College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Adrian College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027; Adrian College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Adrian College (3.2).
• Adrian College has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 26.3% at Adrian College.

SC vs. Adrian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Adrian College? 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).

• Adrian College's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Sterling College's (48%).
• Graduates from Adrian College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $2,337 lower median loan debt than Adrian College graduates ($24,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Adrian College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Adrian College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.