SC vs. Hastings College

Comparable Facts

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

Hastings College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (956 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Hastings College is in Hastings, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hastings College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Hastings College 14:1.

SC vs. Hastings College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Hastings 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 Hastings College ($23,531 vs. $24,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 20.4% lower than at Hastings College ($9,586 vs. $12,050).
• Hastings College is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $4,070 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Hastings College than at Sterling College (about $4,070 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Hastings College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hastings College students is 14.5% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($27,107 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. Hastings College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hastings College (1070) is 40 points higher than at SC (1030).
• Incoming Hastings College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Hastings College 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Hastings College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Hastings College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hastings College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at SC (3.46).
• Hastings College has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 17.7% at Hastings College.

SC vs. Hastings College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Hastings 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).

• Hastings College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Sterling College's (48%).
• Graduates from Hastings College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 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 Hastings College graduates ($24,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hastings College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Hastings College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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.