SC vs. CMU - CLAS

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Fayette, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (1,041 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is in Fayette, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 12:1.

SC vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or CMU - CLAS? 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 Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences than SC ($22,929 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are 1.4% lower than at Sterling College ($9,450 vs. $9,586).
• Sterling College is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU - CLAS (about $5,440 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $28,260.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at SC than at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (about $5,440 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $28,260.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 14.9% larger than aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students ($23,673 vs. $20,598).

SC vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC or CMU - CLAS? 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 CMU - CLAS and SC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 30 points higher than at CMU - CLAS (1000).
• Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CMU - CLAS).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 960/1045.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; CMU - CLAS - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027; CMU - CLAS Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at SC (3.46).
• CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 35.1% at CMU - CLAS.

SC vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and CMU - CLAS? 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 Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences's (43%).
• Graduates from Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates have a $7,788 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($16,875 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, CMU - CLAS graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($174 vs. $255).
• More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.