SC vs. CMU - CLAS

Should I go to Sterling College or Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SC or CMU - CLAS 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Baker OKWU Missouri Baptist University
Sterling College vs. Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences comparison
Sterling College Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 SC CMU - CLAS
Location Sterling, KS Fayette, MO
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 706 1,080
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #781
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $26,360
Room & Board $9,336 $8,910
Avg Net Price $22,680 $24,828
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $18,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 SC CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 1,166
Admitted 1,197 1,141
Acceptance Rate 61.1% 97.9%
Enrolled % 13.4% 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/23
SAT Range 938/1123 930/1090
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 SC CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 SC CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 48% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $255 $174

Diversity

 SC CMU - CLAS
% Men 59% 48%
% Women 41% 52%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 78%
% Black 11% 8%
% Hispanic 15% 3%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

 SC CMU - CLAS
% In-State 37% 59%
% Out-of-State 53% 27%

Campus

 SC CMU - CLAS
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

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (1,080 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or CMU - CLAS?

  • Sterling College is 8.1% more expensive to attend than CMU - CLAS for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $26,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.1% higher at SC than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences ($28,500.00 vs. $26,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sterling College than CMU - CLAS ($22,680 vs. $24,828)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 4.8% lower than costs at Sterling College ($8,910 vs. $9,336)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College as Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 9.3% larger than aid received Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences ($19,729 vs. $18,044)

SC vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (1043) is 53 points higher than at SC (990)
  • Incoming CMU - CLAS students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at SC (22)
  • 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 (97.9%) than SC (61.1%)

SC vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or CMU - CLAS? 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 CMU - CLAS and SC.

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (48% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences earn on average $1,200 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($38,600 vs. $37,400)
  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students graduate with a $7,788 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($16,875 vs. $24,663)
  • CMU - CLAS graduates are paying $81 less per month on federal student loans 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/