SC vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Central University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (3,377 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; East Central University 18:1.

SC vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or ECU? 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 East Central University than SC ($8,565 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 11.2% lower than at Sterling College ($8,516 vs. $9,586).
• Sterling College is 319.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $25,668 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.9% higher at SC than at East Central University (about $15,858 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at East Central University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 155.8% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($23,673 vs. $9,255).

SC vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 20 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at ECU (3.31).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 42.4% at ECU.

SC vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and ECU? 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 East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from East Central University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $7,785 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($16,878 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($174 vs. $255).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 45%)

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.