SC vs. Bluffton University

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

 SC Bluffton University
Location Sterling, KS Bluffton, OH
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 707 678
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Mennonite Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu bluffton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC Bluffton University
Tuition (In State) $30,000 $35,498
Tuition (Out of State) $30,000 $35,498
Room & Board $9,532 $11,866
Avg Net Price $22,996 $21,299
Avg Grant Aid $21,778 $29,291
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 SC Bluffton University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 826 2,873
Admitted 438 1,757
Acceptance Rate 53% 61.2%
Enrolled % 32.4% 10.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 938/1123 920/1130
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 Bluffton University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

 SC Bluffton University
Graduation Rate 48% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $279

Diversity

 SC Bluffton University
% Men 2% 4%
% Women 2% 7%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 85%
% Black 11% 6%
% Hispanic 15% 4%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

 SC Bluffton University
% In-State 42% 79%
% Out-of-State 54% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Sterling College is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (707 students vs. 678 students)

SC vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Bluffton University?

  • Bluffton University is 18.3% more expensive to attend than SC for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $30,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.3% higher at Bluffton University than Sterling College ($35,498.00 vs. $30,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bluffton University than SC ($21,299 vs. $22,996)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 24.5% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($9,532 vs. $11,866)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College as Bluffton University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 34.5% larger than aid received Sterling College ($29,291 vs. $21,778)

SC vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sterling College (990) is 18 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
  • Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Bluffton University (21)
  • Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • Bluffton University has a higher acceptance rate (61.2%) than SC (53%)

SC vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or Bluffton University? 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 Bluffton University and SC.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Sterling College (59% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $3,200 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $37,400)
  • Sterling College students graduate with a $2,337 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($24,663 vs. $27,000)
  • SC graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($255 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 60%)

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