SC vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee Wesleyan University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (1,198 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Tennessee Wesleyan University is in Athens, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Tennessee Wesleyan University 12:1.

SC vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Tennessee Wesleyan University? 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University than SC ($15,125 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Wesleyan University are 1.3% lower than at Sterling College ($9,458 vs. $9,586).
• Sterling College is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Wesleyan University (about $2,886 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $30,814.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at SC than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (about $2,886 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $30,814.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Tennessee Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($24,692 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC or Tennessee Wesleyan University? 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University and SC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is the same as at Tennessee Wesleyan University (1030).
• Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Tennessee Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Tennessee Wesleyan University 960/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Tennessee Wesleyan University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Tennessee Wesleyan University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Wesleyan University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at SC (3.46).
• Tennessee Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (68.8%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 30.3% at Tennessee Wesleyan University.

SC vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Tennessee Wesleyan University? 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University's (44%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have a $5,913 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($18,750 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($193 vs. $255).
• More Tennessee Wesleyan University 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.