SC vs. Howard Payne University

Should I go to Sterling College or Howard Payne University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SC or Howard Payne University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Sterling College vs. Howard Payne University comparison
Sterling College Howard Payne University College 3 College 4
Howard Payne University
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Overview

 SC Howard Payne University
Location Sterling, KS Brownwood, TX
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 706 838
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu hputx.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC Howard Payne University
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $27,850
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $27,850
Room & Board $9,336 $9,616
Avg Net Price $22,680 $24,117
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $18,817
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 88%

Admission

 SC Howard Payne University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 1,233
Admitted 1,197 768
Acceptance Rate 61.1% 62.3%
Enrolled % 13.4% 28.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/24 19/22
SAT Range 938/1123 920/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025

Academics

 SC Howard Payne University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 SC Howard Payne University
Graduation Rate 48% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $25,686
Median Loan Payment $255 $265

Diversity

 SC Howard Payne University
% Men 59% 55%
% Women 41% 45%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 61%
% Black 11% 9%
% Hispanic 15% 22%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

 SC Howard Payne University
% In-State 37% 98%
% Out-of-State 53% 2%

Campus

 SC Howard Payne University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Howard Payne University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (838 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. Howard Payne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Howard Payne University?

  • Sterling College is 2.3% more expensive to attend than Howard Payne University for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $27,850.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.3% higher at SC than Howard Payne University ($28,500.00 vs. $27,850.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sterling College than Howard Payne University ($22,680 vs. $24,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 3% lower than costs at Howard Payne University ($9,336 vs. $9,616)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Howard Payne University (100% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 4.8% larger than aid received Howard Payne University ($19,729 vs. $18,817)

SC vs. Howard Payne University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC or Howard Payne University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Howard Payne University or SC .

  • The average SAT score at Sterling College (990) is 25 points higher than at Howard Payne University (965)
  • Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Howard Payne University (21)
  • Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Howard Payne University (3.3)
  • Howard Payne University has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than SC (61.1%)

SC vs. Howard Payne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or Howard Payne University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Howard Payne University and SC.

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Howard Payne University (48% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Howard Payne University earn on average $2,900 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($40,300 vs. $37,400)
  • Sterling College students graduate with a $1,023 lower median federal student loan debt than Howard Payne University graduates. ($24,663 vs. $25,686)
  • SC graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Howard Payne University graduates. ($255 vs. $265)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard Payne University 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/