SC vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Wayne State College in Wayne, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

SC vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or WSC? 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 Wayne State College than SC ($16,060 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 5.5% lower than at Wayne State College ($9,586 vs. $10,142).
• Sterling College is 310.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSC (about $25,484 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 310.2% higher at SC than at Wayne State College (about $25,484 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Wayne State College (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 263.2% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($23,673 vs. $6,517).

SC vs. WSC Admissions comparison

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

• Wayne State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; WSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at WSC (3.36).

SC vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and WSC? 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).

• Wayne State College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Sterling College's (48%).
• Graduates from Wayne State College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State College graduates have a $4,613 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($20,050 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, WSC graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($207 vs. $255).
• More WSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.