SC vs. NWOSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern Oklahoma State University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (2,079 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Northwestern Oklahoma State University is in Alva, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 15:1.

SC vs. NWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or NWOSU? 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 Northwestern Oklahoma State University than SC ($10,492 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 40.3% lower than at Sterling College ($5,720 vs. $9,586).
• Sterling College is 464.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NWOSU (about $27,730 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $5,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 188.9% higher at SC than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (about $22,036 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $11,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 162.7% larger than aid received by Northwestern Oklahoma State University students ($23,673 vs. $9,011).

SC vs. NWOSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 110 points higher than at NWOSU (920).
• Incoming SC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at NWOSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 803/1036.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; NWOSU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at NWOSU (3.42).
• NWOSU has a higher acceptance rate (65.5%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 38.7% at NWOSU.

SC vs. NWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and NWOSU? 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 Northwestern Oklahoma State University's (37%).
• Graduates from Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $10,348 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($14,315 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, NWOSU graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($148 vs. $255).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NWOSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 55%)

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.