SC vs. Union College

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

 SC Union College
Location Sterling, KS Barbourville, KY
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 707 1,129
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #980
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu unionky.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC Union College
Tuition (In State) $30,000 $28,737
Tuition (Out of State) $30,000 $28,737
Room & Board $9,532 $8,261
Avg Net Price $22,996 $19,223
Avg Grant Aid $21,778 $24,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

 SC Union College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 826 834
Admitted 438 459
Acceptance Rate 53% 55%
Enrolled % 32.4% 43.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.15
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/24 14/21
SAT Range 938/1123 920/1105
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, 2026

Academics

 SC Union College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 SC Union College
Graduation Rate 48% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $34,800
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $255 $248

Diversity

 SC Union College
% Men 2% 21%
% Women 2% 14%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 72%
% Black 11% 12%
% Hispanic 15% 2%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 0% 8%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 SC Union College
% In-State 42% 58%
% Out-of-State 54% 28%

Campus

 SC Union College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Union College is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (1,129 students vs. 707 students)

SC vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Union College?

  • Sterling College is 4.4% more expensive to attend than Union College for in-state tuition ($30,000.00 vs. $28,737.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.4% higher at SC than Union College ($30,000.00 vs. $28,737.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Union College than SC ($19,223 vs. $22,996)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 15.4% lower than costs at Sterling College ($8,261 vs. $9,532)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Union College (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 13.3% larger than aid received Sterling College ($24,684 vs. $21,778)

SC vs. Union College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sterling College (990) is 20 points higher than at Union College (970)
  • Incoming SC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Union College (21)
  • Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Union College (3.15)
  • Union College has a higher acceptance rate (55%) than SC (53%)

SC vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or Union College? 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 Union College and SC.

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Union College (48% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Sterling College earn on average $2,600 more per year than Union College graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $34,800)
  • Union College students graduate with a $663 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,663)
  • Union College 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 Union College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 42%)

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