SC vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Columbia College 20:1.

SC vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College than SC ($21,530 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 0.4% lower than at Sterling College ($9,552 vs. $9,586).
• Sterling College is 30.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $7,874 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at SC than at Columbia College (about $7,874 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 49.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($23,673 vs. $15,882).

SC vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and SC.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at SC (3.46).

SC vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Columbia College? 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 Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $2,629 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($22,034 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($227 vs. $255).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 40%)

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.