SC vs. SNU

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

 SC SNU
Location Sterling, KS Bethany, OK
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 706 1,507
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu snu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC SNU
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $27,000
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $27,000
Room & Board $9,336 $7,900
Avg Net Price $22,680 $22,098
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $19,948
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 SC SNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 -
Admitted 1,197 -
Acceptance Rate 61.1% Open
Enrolled % 13.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 938/1123
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 SC SNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Business (47%)
  • Work and Family Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)

Outcomes

 SC SNU
Graduation Rate 48% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $52,800
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $18,750
Median Loan Payment $255 $193

Diversity

 SC SNU
% Men 59% 46%
% Women 41% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 62%
% Black 11% 12%
% Hispanic 15% 9%
% Native American 2% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

 SC SNU
% In-State 37% 68%
% Out-of-State 53% 30%

Campus

 SC SNU
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

  • Southern Nazarene University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (1,507 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. SNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or SNU?

  • Sterling College is 5.6% more expensive to attend than SNU for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.6% higher at SC than Southern Nazarene University ($28,500.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Nazarene University than SC ($22,098 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Nazarene University are 18.2% lower than costs at Sterling College ($7,900 vs. $9,336)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Southern Nazarene University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Nazarene University students is 1.1% larger than aid received Sterling College ($19,948 vs. $19,729)

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

  • Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at SNU (3.3)

SC vs. SNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Southern Nazarene University (48% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Southern Nazarene University earn on average $15,400 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($52,800 vs. $37,400)
  • Southern Nazarene University students graduate with a $5,913 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($18,750 vs. $24,663)
  • SNU graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($193 vs. $255)
  • More SNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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