SC vs. MidlandU

Comparable Facts

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

Midland University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (1,558 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SC vs. MidlandU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or MidlandU? 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 MidlandU ($23,531 vs. $26,643).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 14.2% lower than at Midland University ($9,586 vs. $11,172).
• Midland University is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $8,350 more per year; $42,050.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.8% higher at MidlandU than at Sterling College (about $8,350 more per year; $42,050.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Midland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midland University students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($29,260 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. MidlandU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Midland University (1070) is 40 points higher than at SC (1030).
• Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at MidlandU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Midland University 963/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Midland University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; MidlandU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at MidlandU (3.26).
• MidlandU has a higher acceptance rate (66.1%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 31.4% at MidlandU.

SC vs. MidlandU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and MidlandU? 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 Midland University's (44%).
• Graduates from Midland University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,900 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 MidlandU graduates ($24,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MidlandU graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More MidlandU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.