SC vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern State University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (6,751 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Northeastern State University is in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Northeastern State University 16:1.

SC vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or NSU? 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 Northeastern State University than SC ($12,410 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 13.8% lower than at Northeastern State University ($9,586 vs. $11,120).
• Sterling College is 331.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $25,890 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.9% higher at SC than at Northeastern State University (about $16,410 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Northeastern State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 166.2% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($23,673 vs. $8,893).

SC vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 30 points higher than at NSU (1000).
• Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Northeastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at SC (3.46).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 39% at NSU.

SC vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and NSU? 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 Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Northeastern State University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $6,663 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($18,000 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($186 vs. $255).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 48%)

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.