SC vs. NWOSU

Should I go to Sterling College or Northwestern Oklahoma State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SC or NWOSU 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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SWOSU Southeastern Oklahoma State University Southwestern College UCO-Central
Sterling College vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State University comparison
Sterling College Northwestern Oklahoma State University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 SC NWOSU
Location Sterling, KS Alva, OK
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 706 1,852
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #835
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu nwosu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC NWOSU
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $5,448
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $11,142
Room & Board $9,336 $5,220
Avg Net Price $22,680 $10,448
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $8,937
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

 SC NWOSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 1,503
Admitted 1,197 848
Acceptance Rate 61.1% 56.4%
Enrolled % 13.4% 39.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/24 16/22
SAT Range 938/1123 830/1070
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025

Academics

 SC NWOSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

 SC NWOSU
Graduation Rate 48% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $14,315
Median Loan Payment $255 $148

Diversity

 SC NWOSU
% Men 59% 39%
% Women 41% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 63%
% Black 11% 7%
% Hispanic 15% 8%
% Native American 2% 7%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 0% 6%
% Unknown Race 3% 7%

Students

 SC NWOSU
% In-State 37% 69%
% Out-of-State 53% 30%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (1,852 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. NWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or NWOSU?

  • Sterling College is 423.1% more expensive to attend than NWOSU for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $5,448.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 155.8% higher at SC than Northwestern Oklahoma State University ($28,500.00 vs. $11,142.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern Oklahoma State University than SC ($10,448 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 78.9% lower than costs at Sterling College ($5,220 vs. $9,336)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Northwestern Oklahoma State University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 120.8% larger than aid received Northwestern Oklahoma State University ($19,729 vs. $8,937)

SC vs. NWOSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sterling College (990) is 40 points higher than at NWOSU (950)
  • Incoming SC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at NWOSU (20)
  • Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at NWOSU (3.42)
  • SC has a higher acceptance rate (61.1%) than NWOSU (56.4%)

SC vs. NWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Northwestern Oklahoma State University (48% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn on average $3,000 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $37,400)
  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University students graduate with a $10,348 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($14,315 vs. $24,663)
  • NWOSU graduates are paying $107 less per month on federal student loans 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/