SC vs. NWOSU

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

Sterling College
Northwestern Oklahoma State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SC (48.2% admitted vs 65.5%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 920.
  • Cheaper after aid: NWOSU. Average net price is $10,492 vs $23,531 at SC.
  • Graduation: SC 48% vs NWOSU 37%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SC $37,400 vs NWOSU $40,400 (median).
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Key differences

Sterling College Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Acceptance rate
SC more selective
SC48.2%
NWOSU65.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SC higher
SC938-1123
NWOSU803-1036
Average net price
NWOSU $13,039 less
SC$23,531
NWOSU$10,492
In-state tuition
NWOSU $27,730 less
SC$33,700
NWOSU$5,970
Out-of-state tuition
NWOSU $22,036 less
SC$33,700
NWOSU$11,664
Graduation rate
SC +11 pts
SC48%
NWOSU37%
Median earnings (10 years)
NWOSU +$3,000
SC$37,400
NWOSU$40,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SC 820
  • NWOSU 1,375
  • Admitted
  • SC 395
  • NWOSU 900
  • Acceptance rate
  • SC 48.2%
  • NWOSU 65.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SC 30.4%
  • NWOSU 38.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SC 1030
  • NWOSU 920
  • Typical ACT score
  • SC 21
  • NWOSU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • SC 3.46
  • NWOSU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • SC B+
  • NWOSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • SC Very Easy
  • NWOSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • SC Low
  • NWOSU Low
  • SAT range
  • SC 938-1123
  • NWOSU 803-1036
  • ACT range
  • SC 18-24
  • NWOSU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • SC Test optional
  • NWOSU Required
  • Application deadline
  • SC Aug 17, 2027
  • NWOSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SC $33,700
  • NWOSU $5,970
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SC $33,700
  • NWOSU $11,664
  • Room & board
  • SC $9,586
  • NWOSU $5,720
  • Average net price
  • SC $23,531
  • NWOSU $10,492
  • Average grant aid
  • SC $23,673
  • NWOSU $9,011
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SC 100%
  • NWOSU 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • SC 48%
  • NWOSU 37%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SC $37,400
  • NWOSU $40,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • SC 60%
  • NWOSU 55%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SC $24,663
  • NWOSU $14,315
  • Median loan payment
  • SC $255
  • NWOSU $148
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SC 8:1
  • NWOSU 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%)
  • NWOSU
    • Education (20%)
    • Business (20%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Agriculture (8%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Location
  • SC Sterling, KS
  • NWOSU Alva, OK
  • Setting
  • SC Remote Town
  • NWOSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • SC 694
  • NWOSU 2,079
  • Type
  • SC Private 4 Year
  • NWOSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SC
  • NWOSU #845

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Sterling, KS with Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (2,079 students vs. 694 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Northwestern Oklahoma State University is in Alva, OK (Remote Town setting).
  • Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Northwestern Oklahoma State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are 40.3% lower than at Sterling College ($5,720 vs. $9,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 188.9% higher at SC than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (about $22,036 more per year; $33,700 vs. $11,664).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 162.7% larger than aid received by Northwestern Oklahoma State University students ($23,673 vs. $9,011).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at SC than at NWOSU (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at SC, required at NWOSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SC average a 3.46 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at NWOSU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 38.7% at NWOSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates have a $10,348 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($14,315 vs. $24,663).
  • Among borrowers, NWOSU graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($148 vs. $255).
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NWOSU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 55%).

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

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