SC vs. KWC

Sterling College and Kentucky Wesleyan College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Sterling College
Kentucky Wesleyan College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SC (48.2% admitted vs 71.6%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: KWC. Average net price is $20,999 vs $23,531 at SC.
  • Graduation: SC 48% vs KWC 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SC $37,400 vs KWC $38,500 (median).
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Key differences

Sterling College Kentucky Wesleyan College
Acceptance rate
SC more selective
SC48.2%
KWC71.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
KWC higher
SC938-1123
KWC890-1130
Average net price
KWC $2,532 less
SC$23,531
KWC$20,999
In-state tuition
SC $973 less
SC$33,700
KWC$34,673
Out-of-state tuition
SC $973 less
SC$33,700
KWC$34,673
Graduation rate
SC +4 pts
SC48%
KWC44%
Median earnings (10 years)
KWC +$1,100
SC$37,400
KWC$38,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SC 820
  • KWC 2,113
  • Admitted
  • SC 395
  • KWC 1,513
  • Acceptance rate
  • SC 48.2%
  • KWC 71.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SC 30.4%
  • KWC 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SC 1030
  • KWC 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • SC 21
  • KWC 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • SC 3.46
  • KWC 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • SC B+
  • KWC B+
  • Admissions standards
  • SC Very Easy
  • KWC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • SC Low
  • KWC Low
  • SAT range
  • SC 938-1123
  • KWC 890-1130
  • ACT range
  • SC 18-24
  • KWC 16-23
  • Submit test scores
  • SC Test optional
  • KWC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SC Aug 17, 2027
  • KWC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SC $33,700
  • KWC $34,673
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SC $33,700
  • KWC $34,673
  • Room & board
  • SC $9,586
  • KWC $11,855
  • Average net price
  • SC $23,531
  • KWC $20,999
  • Average grant aid
  • SC $23,673
  • KWC $25,538
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SC 100%
  • KWC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • SC 48%
  • KWC 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SC $37,400
  • KWC $38,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • SC 60%
  • KWC 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SC $24,663
  • KWC $22,907
  • Median loan payment
  • SC $255
  • KWC $236
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SC 8:1
  • KWC 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • SC
    • Education (26%)
    • Business (22%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • KWC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • SC Sterling, KS
  • KWC Owensboro, KY
  • Setting
  • SC Remote Town
  • KWC Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • SC 694
  • KWC 887
  • Type
  • SC Private 4 Year
  • KWC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SC
  • KWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Kentucky Wesleyan College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (887 students vs. 694 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting).
  • Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 19.1% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($9,586 vs. $11,855).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at KWC than at Sterling College (about $973 more per year; $34,673 vs. $33,700).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Kentucky Wesleyan College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($25,538 vs. $23,673).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SC than at KWC (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SC and KWC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SC average a 3.46 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at KWC (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 17.7% at KWC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $1,756 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($22,907 vs. $24,663).
  • Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($236 vs. $255).
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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