ESU vs. SC

Should I go to Emporia State University or Sterling College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ESU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

K-State KU Pitt State WSU Johnson County Community College Fort Hays State University Washburn University Northwest Park University SWOSU Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Emporia State University vs. Sterling College comparison
Emporia State University Sterling College College 3 College 4
Emporia State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 ESU SC
Location Emporia, KS Sterling, KS
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 5,324 706
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website emporia.edu sterling.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ESU SC
Tuition (In State) $5,278 $28,500
Tuition (Out of State) $13,195 $28,500
Room & Board $9,308 $9,336
Avg Net Price $14,854 $22,680
Avg Grant Aid $5,345 $19,729
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

 ESU SC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,846 1,959
Admitted 1,766 1,197
Acceptance Rate 95.7% 61.1%
Enrolled % 30.4% 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 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 17, 2024

Academics

 ESU SC
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Education (26%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 ESU SC
Graduation Rate 43% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,419 $24,663
Median Loan Payment $200 $255

Diversity

 ESU SC
% Men 33% 59%
% Women 67% 41%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 68%
% Black 5% 11%
% Hispanic 7% 15%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 0%
% International 8% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 ESU SC
% In-State 89% 37%
% Out-of-State 11% 53%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Emporia State University is larger than than SC based on total student enrollment (5,324 students vs. 706 students)

ESU vs. SC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU or SC?

  • Sterling College is 440% more expensive to attend than ESU for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $5,278.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 116% higher at SC than Emporia State University ($28,500.00 vs. $13,195.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Emporia State University than SC ($14,854 vs. $22,680)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 0.3% lower than costs at Sterling College ($9,308 vs. $9,336)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sterling College than Emporia State University (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 269.1% larger than aid received Emporia State University ($19,729 vs. $5,345)

ESU vs. SC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Emporia State University (1030) is 40 points higher than at SC (990)
  • Incoming ESU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SC (22)
  • Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at ESU (3.41)
  • ESU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than SC (61.1%)

ESU vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ESU 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 ESU .

  • The graduation rate at SC is higher than Emporia State University (48% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Emporia State University earn on average $1,600 more per year than SC graduates after ten years. ($39,000 vs. $37,400)
  • Emporia State University students graduate with a $5,244 lower median federal student loan debt than SC graduates. ($19,419 vs. $24,663)
  • ESU graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than SC graduates. ($200 vs. $255)
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ESU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 59%)

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