SC vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sterling College is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (694 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Northland College 5:1.

SC vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or Northland College? 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 Northland College than SC ($23,253 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 17.4% lower than at Northland College ($9,586 vs. $11,600).
• Northland College is 31.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $10,703 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.8% higher at Northland College than at Sterling College (about $10,703 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at Northland College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 41.8% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($33,572 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC or Northland College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northland College and SC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northland College (1050) is 20 points higher than at SC (1030).
• Incoming SC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Northland College (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• Northland College has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

SC vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and Northland College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at SC is the same as at Northland College (48% vs. 48%).
• Graduates from Sterling College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $2,280 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($24,663 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($255 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 60%)

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.