SC vs. MWSU

Should I go to Sterling College or Missouri Western State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SC or MWSU 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. Missouri Western State University comparison
Sterling College Missouri Western State University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 SC MWSU
Location Sterling, KS Saint Joseph, MO
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 706 4,023
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu missouriwestern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC MWSU
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $6,540
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $13,550
Room & Board $9,336 $10,200
Avg Net Price $22,680 $11,917
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $10,531
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 SC MWSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 -
Admitted 1,197 -
Acceptance Rate 61.1% Open
Enrolled % 13.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 938/1123
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025

Academics

 SC MWSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 SC MWSU
Graduation Rate 48% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $36,500
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $21,818
Median Loan Payment $255 $225

Diversity

 SC MWSU
% Men 59% 38%
% Women 41% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 79%
% Black 11% 10%
% Hispanic 15% 1%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

 SC MWSU
% In-State 37% 82%
% Out-of-State 53% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Missouri Western State University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (4,023 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or MWSU?

  • Sterling College is 335.8% more expensive to attend than MWSU for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $6,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 110.3% higher at SC than Missouri Western State University ($28,500.00 vs. $13,550.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Western State University than SC ($11,917 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 9.3% lower than costs at Missouri Western State University ($9,336 vs. $10,200)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College as Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 87.3% larger than aid received Missouri Western State University ($19,729 vs. $10,531)

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

  • Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at MWSU (3.25)

SC vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or MWSU? 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 MWSU and SC.

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Missouri Western State University (48% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Sterling College earn on average $900 more per year than MWSU graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $36,500)
  • Missouri Western State University students graduate with a $2,845 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($21,818 vs. $24,663)
  • MWSU graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($225 vs. $255)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/