SC vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Olivet is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (979 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

SC vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet than SC ($19,362 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 23.7% lower than at The University of Olivet ($9,586 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $368 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at OC Comets than at Sterling College (about $368 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at The University of Olivet (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($27,858 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 10 points higher than at OC Comets (1020).
• Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at OC Comets).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; The University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; OC Comets - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

SC vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from The University of Olivet earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $2,337 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($24,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.