SC vs. Carson-Newman College

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

 SC Carson-Newman College
Location Sterling, KS Jefferson City, TN
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 707 2,735
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #781
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu cn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC Carson-Newman College
Tuition (In State) $30,000 $32,900
Tuition (Out of State) $30,000 $32,900
Room & Board $9,532 $10,507
Avg Net Price $22,996 $19,755
Avg Grant Aid $21,778 $26,472
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 SC Carson-Newman College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 826 2,991
Admitted 438 2,042
Acceptance Rate 53% 68.3%
Enrolled % 32.4% 18%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 938/1123 940/1130
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, 2025

Academics

 SC Carson-Newman College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (5%)

Outcomes

 SC Carson-Newman College
Graduation Rate 48% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $23,880
Median Loan Payment $255 $246

Diversity

 SC Carson-Newman College
% Men 2% 9%
% Women 2% 30%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 83%
% Black 11% 8%
% Hispanic 15% 2%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

 SC Carson-Newman College
% In-State 42% 72%
% Out-of-State 54% 24%

Campus

 SC Carson-Newman College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Carson Newman College is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (2,735 students vs. 707 students)

SC vs. Carson-Newman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Carson-Newman College?

  • Carson Newman College is 9.7% more expensive to attend than SC for in-state tuition ($32,900.00 vs. $30,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.7% higher at Carson-Newman College than Sterling College ($32,900.00 vs. $30,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carson Newman College than SC ($19,755 vs. $22,996)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 10.2% lower than costs at Carson Newman College ($9,532 vs. $10,507)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College as Carson Newman College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carson Newman College students is 21.6% larger than aid received Sterling College ($26,472 vs. $21,778)

SC vs. Carson-Newman College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Carson Newman College (1039) is 49 points higher than at SC (990)
  • Incoming Carson-Newman College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at SC (22)
  • Accepted freshman Carson-Newman College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SC (3.46)
  • Carson-Newman College has a higher acceptance rate (68.3%) than SC (53%)

SC vs. Carson-Newman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or Carson-Newman College? 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 Carson-Newman College and SC.

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Carson Newman College (48% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Carson Newman College earn on average $4,300 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($41,700 vs. $37,400)
  • Carson Newman College students graduate with a $783 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($23,880 vs. $24,663)
  • Carson-Newman College graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($246 vs. $255)
  • More Carson-Newman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 60%)

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