SC vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (5,881 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

SC vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or UNK? 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 University of Nebraska at Kearney than SC ($16,287 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 21.4% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,586 vs. $12,198).
• Sterling College is 288.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $25,024 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.5% higher at SC than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $18,416 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 142.2% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($23,673 vs. $9,776).

SC vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC or UNK? 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 UNK and SC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 10 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027; UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 18.5% at UNK.

SC vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and UNK? 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).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Sterling College's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $3,413 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($21,250 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($219 vs. $255).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.