SC vs. Keystone College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Keystone College in La Plume, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Keystone College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (952 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Keystone College is in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Keystone College 12:1.

SC vs. Keystone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Keystone 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 Keystone College than SC ($21,952 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 23.9% lower than at Keystone College ($9,586 vs. $12,600).
• Sterling College is 84.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Keystone College (about $15,400 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.2% higher at SC than at Keystone College (about $15,400 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Keystone College (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 133.9% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($23,673 vs. $10,119).

SC vs. Keystone College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 10 points higher than at Keystone College (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Keystone College 910/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Keystone College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Keystone College (3.0).
• Keystone College has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 10.8% at Keystone College.

SC vs. Keystone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Keystone 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 Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Sterling College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $1,337 lower median loan debt than Keystone College graduates ($24,663 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Keystone College graduates ($255 vs. $268).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Keystone College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 57%)

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.