SC vs. Bethel

Should I go to Sterling College or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SC or Bethel 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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Sterling College vs. Bethel University comparison
Sterling College Bethel University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 SC Bethel
Location Sterling, KS McKenzie, TN
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 707 2,974
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #992
Religious Affiliation - Cumberland Presbyterian - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu bethelu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC Bethel
Tuition (In State) $30,000 $16,870
Tuition (Out of State) $30,000 $16,870
Room & Board $9,532 $10,537
Avg Net Price $22,996 $20,606
Avg Grant Aid $21,778 $10,423
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

 SC Bethel
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 826 3,318
Admitted 438 3,224
Acceptance Rate 53% 97.2%
Enrolled % 32.4% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 16/24
SAT Range 938/1123 625/1100
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, 2026

Academics

 SC Bethel
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (2%)

Outcomes

 SC Bethel
Graduation Rate 48% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $42,700
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $28,250
Median Loan Payment $255 $292

Diversity

 SC Bethel
% Men 2% 3%
% Women 2% 5%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 46%
% Black 11% 40%
% Hispanic 15% 1%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 5%
% Two or More Races 0% 1%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 5%

Students

 SC Bethel
% In-State 42% 80%
% Out-of-State 54% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (2,974 students vs. 707 students)

SC vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Bethel?

  • Sterling College is 77.8% more expensive to attend than Bethel for in-state tuition ($30,000.00 vs. $16,870.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77.8% higher at SC than Bethel University ($30,000.00 vs. $16,870.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than SC ($20,606 vs. $22,996)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 10.5% lower than costs at Bethel University ($9,532 vs. $10,537)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Bethel University (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 108.9% larger than aid received Bethel University ($21,778 vs. $10,423)

SC vs. Bethel Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sterling College (990) is 62 points higher than at Bethel (928)
  • Incoming SC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Bethel (20)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SC (3.46)
  • Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than SC (53%)

SC vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or Bethel? 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 Bethel and SC.

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Bethel University (48% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $5,300 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($42,700 vs. $37,400)
  • Sterling College students graduate with a $3,587 lower median federal student loan debt than Bethel graduates. ($24,663 vs. $28,250)
  • SC graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Bethel graduates. ($255 vs. $292)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 33%)

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