SC vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

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

Sterling College is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (694 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Bethany College 12:1.

SC vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Bethany 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 Bethany College than SC ($19,035 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 27.4% lower than at Bethany College ($9,586 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $3,065 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at Bethany College than at Sterling College (about $3,065 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($31,646 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 40 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Bethany College 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: Sterling College 938/1123; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Bethany College has a higher acceptance rate (58.8%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

SC vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Bethany 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).

• The graduation rate at SC is the same as at Bethany College (48% vs. 48%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $6,221 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($24,663 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($255 vs. $319).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 56%)

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.