SC vs. SAU

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

 SC SAU
Location Sterling, KS Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 706 2,396
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC SAU
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $31,020
Room & Board $9,336 $10,652
Avg Net Price $22,680 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 SC SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 2,312
Admitted 1,197 1,094
Acceptance Rate 61.1% 47.3%
Enrolled % 13.4% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/24 20/26
SAT Range 938/1123 970/1135
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 SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 SC SAU
Graduation Rate 48% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $255 $248

Diversity

 SC SAU
% Men 59% 23%
% Women 41% 77%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 77%
% Black 11% 10%
% Hispanic 15% 3%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 5%

Students

 SC SAU
% In-State 37% 83%
% Out-of-State 53% 13%

Campus

 SC SAU
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

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (2,396 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or SAU?

  • Spring Arbor University is 8.8% more expensive to attend than SC for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $28,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.8% higher at SAU than Sterling College ($31,020.00 vs. $28,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Spring Arbor University than SC ($22,375 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 14.1% lower than costs at Spring Arbor University ($9,336 vs. $10,652)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 4.8% larger than aid received Sterling College ($20,677 vs. $19,729)

SC vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 83 points higher than at SC (990)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at SC (22)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at SC (3.46)
  • SC has a higher acceptance rate (61.1%) than SAU (47.3%)

SC vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Sterling College (56% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn on average $5,200 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $37,400)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $620 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($24,043 vs. $24,663)
  • SAU graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($248 vs. $255)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)

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