SC vs. SWOSU

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

 SC SWOSU
Location Sterling, KS Weatherford, OK
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 706 4,777
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #794
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu swosu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC SWOSU
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $6,585
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $13,695
Room & Board $9,336 $6,930
Avg Net Price $22,680 $13,699
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $8,539
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

 SC SWOSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 2,571
Admitted 1,197 1,974
Acceptance Rate 61.1% 76.8%
Enrolled % 13.4% 37.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/23
SAT Range 938/1123
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025

Academics

 SC SWOSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (28%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (5%)

Outcomes

 SC SWOSU
Graduation Rate 48% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $15,687
Median Loan Payment $255 $162

Diversity

 SC SWOSU
% Men 59% 36%
% Women 41% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 67%
% Black 11% 5%
% Hispanic 15% 8%
% Native American 2% 4%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 7%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

 SC SWOSU
% In-State 37% 89%
% Out-of-State 53% 8%

Campus

 SC SWOSU
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

  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (4,777 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. SWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or SWOSU?

  • Sterling College is 332.8% more expensive to attend than SWOSU for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $6,585.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 108.1% higher at SC than Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($28,500.00 vs. $13,695.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwestern Oklahoma State University than SC ($13,699 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 34.7% lower than costs at Sterling College ($6,930 vs. $9,336)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Southwestern Oklahoma State University (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 131% larger than aid received Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($19,729 vs. $8,539)

SC vs. SWOSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sterling College (990) is the same at SWOSU (990)
  • Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at SWOSU (21)
  • Accepted freshman SWOSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at SC (3.46)
  • SWOSU has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than SC (61.1%)

SC vs. SWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Southwestern Oklahoma State University (48% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn on average $11,200 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $37,400)
  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University students graduate with a $8,976 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($15,687 vs. $24,663)
  • SWOSU graduates are paying $93 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($162 vs. $255)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWOSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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