SC vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Ferrum College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (763 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SC vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College than SC ($20,082 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 27.5% lower than at Ferrum College ($9,586 vs. $13,230).
• Sterling College is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferrum College (about $5,180 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at SC than at Ferrum College (about $5,180 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 45.5% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($34,444 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 40 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

SC vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Ferrum 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 Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $3,337 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($24,663 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($255 vs. $289).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 49%)

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.