SC vs. WSU

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

 SC WSU
Location Sterling, KS Wichita, KS
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 707 16,741
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #741
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sterling.edu wichita.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SC WSU
Tuition (In State) $30,000 $7,247
Tuition (Out of State) $30,000 $17,165
Room & Board $9,532 $13,790
Avg Net Price $22,996 $14,184
Avg Grant Aid $21,778 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 82%

Admission

 SC WSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 826 8,637
Admitted 438 8,200
Acceptance Rate 53% 94.9%
Enrolled % 32.4% 21.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/26
SAT Range 938/1123 970/1250
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 WSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Engineering (9%)

Outcomes

 SC WSU
Graduation Rate 48% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $43,800
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,663 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $255 $211

Diversity

 SC WSU
% Men 2% 10%
% Women 2% 13%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 63%
% Black 11% 6%
% Hispanic 15% 11%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 0% 6%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

 SC WSU
% In-State 42% 76%
% Out-of-State 54% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Wichita State University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (16,741 students vs. 707 students)

SC vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or WSU?

  • Sterling College is 314% more expensive to attend than WSU for in-state tuition ($30,000.00 vs. $7,247.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.8% higher at SC than Wichita State University ($30,000.00 vs. $17,165.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wichita State University than SC ($14,184 vs. $22,996)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 44.7% lower than costs at Wichita State University ($9,532 vs. $13,790)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Wichita State University (100% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 199.1% larger than aid received Wichita State University ($21,778 vs. $7,282)

SC vs. WSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wichita State University (1089) is 99 points higher than at SC (990)
  • Incoming WSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at SC (22)
  • Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at SC (3.46)
  • WSU has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than SC (53%)

SC vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SC or WSU? 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 WSU and SC.

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Wichita State University (48% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Wichita State University earn on average $6,400 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($43,800 vs. $37,400)
  • Wichita State University students graduate with a $4,163 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,663)
  • WSU graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($211 vs. $255)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 55%)

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