SC vs. MWSU

Sterling College and Missouri Western State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Sterling College
Missouri Western State University

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: MWSU. Average net price is $13,126 vs $23,531 at SC.
  • Graduation: SC 48% vs MWSU 27%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SC $37,400 vs MWSU $36,500 (median).
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Key differences

Sterling College Missouri Western State University
Acceptance rate
SC more selective
SC48.2%
MWSU-
SAT range (middle 50%)
SC higher
SC938-1123
MWSU-
Average net price
MWSU $10,405 less
SC$23,531
MWSU$13,126
In-state tuition
MWSU $23,394 less
SC$33,700
MWSU$10,306
Out-of-state tuition
MWSU $12,834 less
SC$33,700
MWSU$20,866
Graduation rate
SC +21 pts
SC48%
MWSU27%
Median earnings (10 years)
SC +$900
SC$37,400
MWSU$36,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SC 820
  • MWSU -
  • Admitted
  • SC 395
  • MWSU -
  • Acceptance rate
  • SC 48.2%
  • MWSU Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SC 30.4%
  • MWSU Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • SC 1030
  • MWSU
  • Typical ACT score
  • SC 21
  • MWSU
  • Average high school GPA
  • SC 3.46
  • MWSU 3.25
  • Typical high school grades
  • SC B+
  • MWSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • SC Very Easy
  • MWSU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • SC Low
  • MWSU
  • SAT range
  • SC 938-1123
  • MWSU
  • ACT range
  • SC 18-24
  • MWSU
  • Submit test scores
  • SC Test optional
  • MWSU Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • SC Aug 17, 2027
  • MWSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SC $33,700
  • MWSU $10,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SC $33,700
  • MWSU $20,866
  • Room & board
  • SC $9,586
  • MWSU $12,311
  • Average net price
  • SC $23,531
  • MWSU $13,126
  • Average grant aid
  • SC $23,673
  • MWSU $9,245
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SC 100%
  • MWSU 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • SC 48%
  • MWSU 27%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SC $37,400
  • MWSU $36,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • SC 60%
  • MWSU 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SC $24,663
  • MWSU $21,818
  • Median loan payment
  • SC $255
  • MWSU $225
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SC 8:1
  • MWSU 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%)
  • MWSU
    • Business (21%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • SC Sterling, KS
  • MWSU Saint Joseph, MO
  • Setting
  • SC Remote Town
  • MWSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • SC 694
  • MWSU 3,716
  • Type
  • SC Private 4 Year
  • MWSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SC
  • MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Missouri Western State University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 694 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
  • Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 22.1% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($9,586 vs. $12,311).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 61.5% higher at SC than at Missouri Western State University (about $12,834 more per year; $33,700 vs. $20,866).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 156.1% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($23,673 vs. $9,245).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at SC, open admission at MWSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SC average a 3.46 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at MWSU (3.25).

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $2,845 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($21,818 vs. $24,663).
  • Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($225 vs. $255).
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 53%).

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

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