SC vs. Defiance College

Comparable Facts

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

Sterling College is larger than Defiance College based on total student enrollment (694 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Defiance College is in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Defiance College 11:1.

SC vs. Defiance College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Defiance 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 Sterling College than Defiance College ($23,531 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 24% lower than at Defiance College ($9,586 vs. $12,606).
• Sterling College is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Defiance College (about $4,380 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $29,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.9% higher at SC than at Defiance College (about $4,380 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $29,320.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Defiance College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Defiance College students is 14.2% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($27,024 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. Defiance College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 40 points higher than at Defiance College (990).
• Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Defiance College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Defiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Defiance College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Defiance College (3.12).
• SC has a higher acceptance rate (48.2%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 21.6% at Defiance College.

SC vs. Defiance College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Defiance 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).

• Defiance College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Sterling College's (48%).
• Graduates from Defiance College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $2,337 lower median loan debt than Defiance College graduates ($24,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Defiance College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Defiance College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)

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.