SC vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Averett University in Danville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Averett University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (1,476 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Averett University is in Danville, VA (Small City setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Averett University 16:1.

SC vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or AU? 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 Averett University than SC ($23,471 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 34% lower than at Averett University ($9,586 vs. $14,530).
• Averett University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $4,850 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.4% higher at AU than at Sterling College (about $4,850 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Averett University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 26.7% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($29,998 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. AU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is the same as at AU (1030).
• Incoming SC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at AU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Averett University 926/1143.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Averett University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at AU (3.07).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (56.6%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 18.1% at AU.

SC vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and AU? 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 Averett University's (41%).
• Graduates from Averett University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $337 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($24,663 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($255 vs. $258).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU 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.