KU vs. SC

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

 KU SC
Location Lawrence, KS Sterling, KS
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 28,406 707
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #291
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ku.edu sterling.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 KU SC
Tuition (In State) $10,596 $30,000
Tuition (Out of State) $28,308 $30,000
Room & Board $10,818 $9,532
Avg Net Price $18,322 $22,996
Avg Grant Aid $10,644 $21,778
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

 KU SC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,226 826
Admitted 16,958 438
Acceptance Rate 88.2% 53%
Enrolled % 31% 32.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 18/24
SAT Range 1050/1290 938/1123
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 15, 2026 Aug 17, 2026

Academics

 KU SC
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 KU SC
Graduation Rate 61% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,600 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $24,663
Median Loan Payment $211 $255

Diversity

 KU SC
% Men 11% 2%
% Women 16% 2%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 68%
% Black 4% 11%
% Hispanic 7% 15%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 0%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 KU SC
% In-State 55% 42%
% Out-of-State 43% 54%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Kansas is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (28,406 students vs. 707 students)

KU vs. SC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or SC?

  • Sterling College is 183.1% more expensive to attend than KU for in-state tuition ($30,000.00 vs. $10,596.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6% higher at SC than University of Kansas ($30,000.00 vs. $28,308.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than SC ($18,322 vs. $22,996)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 13.5% lower than costs at University of Kansas ($9,532 vs. $10,818)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than University of Kansas (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 104.6% larger than aid received University of Kansas ($21,778 vs. $10,644)

KU vs. SC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Kansas (1145) is 155 points higher than at SC (990)
  • Incoming KU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SC (22)
  • Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at SC (3.46)
  • KU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than SC (53%)

KU vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at KU is higher than Sterling College (61% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $17,200 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $37,400)
  • University of Kansas students graduate with a $4,163 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($20,500 vs. $24,663)
  • KU graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($211 vs. $255)
  • More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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