SC vs. Northwest

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

 SC Northwest
Location Sterling, KS Maryville, MO
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 706 8,505
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #914
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu nwmissouri.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC Northwest
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $6,015
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $12,082
Room & Board $9,336 $10,428
Avg Net Price $22,680 $14,197
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $8,387
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

 SC Northwest
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 6,877
Admitted 1,197 5,884
Acceptance Rate 61.1% 85.6%
Enrolled % 13.4% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 938/1123 938/1158
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 Northwest
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Agriculture (6%)
  • General Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 SC Northwest
Graduation Rate 48% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

 SC Northwest
% Men 59% 38%
% Women 41% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 79%
% Black 11% 7%
% Hispanic 15% 4%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 0% 6%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 SC Northwest
% In-State 37% 65%
% Out-of-State 53% 33%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northwest Missouri State University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Northwest?

  • Sterling College is 373.8% more expensive to attend than Northwest for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $6,015.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 135.9% higher at SC than Northwest Missouri State University ($28,500.00 vs. $12,082.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest Missouri State University than SC ($14,197 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 11.7% lower than costs at Northwest Missouri State University ($9,336 vs. $10,428)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Northwest Missouri State University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 135.2% larger than aid received Northwest Missouri State University ($19,729 vs. $8,387)

SC vs. Northwest Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwest Missouri State University (1047) is 57 points higher than at SC (990)
  • Incoming Northwest students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at SC (22)
  • Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Northwest (3.45)
  • Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (85.6%) than SC (61.1%)

SC vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Northwest is higher than Sterling College (49% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Northwest Missouri State University earn on average $3,800 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $37,400)
  • Sterling College students graduate with a $337 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwest graduates. ($24,663 vs. $25,000)
  • SC graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Northwest graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More Northwest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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