SC vs. Washburn University

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

 SC Washburn University
Location Sterling, KS Topeka, KS
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 706 5,460
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu washburn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC Washburn University
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $9,044
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $20,328
Room & Board $9,336 $10,040
Avg Net Price $22,680 $12,473
Avg Grant Aid $19,729 $7,818
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 SC Washburn University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,959 -
Admitted 1,197 -
Acceptance Rate 61.1%
Enrolled % 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 938/1123
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 17, 2025

Academics

 SC Washburn University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (38%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 SC Washburn University
Graduation Rate 48% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $16,900
Median Loan Payment $255 $174

Diversity

 SC Washburn University
% Men 59% 36%
% Women 41% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 64%
% Black 11% 6%
% Hispanic 15% 8%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 14%

Students

 SC Washburn University
% In-State 37% 84%
% Out-of-State 53% 2%

Campus

 SC Washburn University
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

  • Washburn University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (5,460 students vs. 706 students)

SC vs. Washburn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Washburn University?

  • Sterling College is 215.1% more expensive to attend than Washburn University for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $9,044.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40.2% higher at SC than Washburn University ($28,500.00 vs. $20,328.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Washburn University than SC ($12,473 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 7.5% lower than costs at Washburn University ($9,336 vs. $10,040)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College as Washburn University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 152.4% larger than aid received Washburn University ($19,729 vs. $7,818)

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

  • Accepted freshman SC students have at the same average high school GPA (3.46) as students at Washburn University (3.46)

SC vs. Washburn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or Washburn University? 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 Washburn University and SC.

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Washburn University (48% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Washburn University earn on average $4,900 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $37,400)
  • Washburn University students graduate with a $7,763 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($16,900 vs. $24,663)
  • Washburn University graduates are paying $81 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($174 vs. $255)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washburn University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 49%)

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