SC vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sterling College is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (694 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Southwestern Christian University is in Bethany, OK (Large Suburban setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Southwestern Christian University 13:1.

SC vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or SCU? 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 Southwestern Christian University than SC ($20,528 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 5.1% lower than at Southwestern Christian University ($9,586 vs. $10,100).
• Sterling College is 53.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $11,800 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $21,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.9% higher at SC than at Southwestern Christian University (about $11,800 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $21,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Southwestern Christian University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 85.2% larger than aid received by Southwestern Christian University students ($23,673 vs. $12,784).

SC vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; SCU - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at SCU (3.22).

SC vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and SCU? 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 Southwestern Christian University's (28%).
• Graduates from Sterling College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than SCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $27,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $2,337 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($24,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 38%)

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.