SC vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wichita State University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 694 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SC vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or WSU? 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 Wichita State University than SC ($14,228 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 22.8% lower than at Wichita State University ($9,586 vs. $12,420).
• Sterling College is 248% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $24,016 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $9,684.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.6% higher at SC than at Wichita State University (about $13,831 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Wichita State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 191.4% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($23,673 vs. $8,125).

SC vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC or WSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WSU and SC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Wichita State University (1070) is 40 points higher than at SC (1030).
• Incoming SC students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at WSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sterling College 938/1123; Wichita State University 905/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sterling College 18/24; Wichita State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Enrolled 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 (93.9%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 20.1% at WSU.

SC vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and WSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Wichita State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Wichita State University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wichita State University graduates have a $4,163 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.