SC vs. Spalding

Should I go to Sterling College or Spalding University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SC or Spalding 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Sterling College vs. Spalding University comparison
Sterling College Spalding University College 3 College 4
Spalding University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 SC Spalding
Location Sterling, KS Louisville, KY
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 706 1,532
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #718
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu spalding.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC Spalding
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $26,900
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $26,900
Room & Board $9,336 $8,300
Avg Net Price $22,680 $26,539
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $16,307
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 SC Spalding
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 720
Admitted 1,197 703
Acceptance Rate 61.1% 97.6%
Enrolled % 13.4% 18.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.87
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 16/22
SAT Range 938/1123 858/1105
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 Spalding
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (41%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

 SC Spalding
Graduation Rate 48% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $45,300
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $258

Diversity

 SC Spalding
% Men 59% 29%
% Women 41% 71%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 67%
% Black 11% 20%
% Hispanic 15% 3%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

 SC Spalding
% In-State 37% 51%
% Out-of-State 53% 40%

Campus

 SC Spalding
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

  • Spalding University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (1,532 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. Spalding Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Spalding?

  • Sterling College is 5.9% more expensive to attend than Spalding for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $26,900.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.9% higher at SC than Spalding University ($28,500.00 vs. $26,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sterling College than Spalding ($22,680 vs. $26,539)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 12.5% lower than costs at Sterling College ($8,300 vs. $9,336)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Spalding University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 21% larger than aid received Spalding University ($19,729 vs. $16,307)

SC vs. Spalding Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sterling College (990) is 20 points higher than at Spalding (970)
  • Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Spalding (21)
  • Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at SC (3.46)
  • Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than SC (61.1%)

SC vs. Spalding Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Spalding University (48% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Spalding University earn on average $7,900 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($45,300 vs. $37,400)
  • Sterling College students graduate with a $337 lower median federal student loan debt than Spalding graduates. ($24,663 vs. $25,000)
  • SC graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Spalding graduates. ($255 vs. $258)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 44%)

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