SC vs. WSU

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

Sterling College
Wichita State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SC (48.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: WSU. Average net price is $14,228 vs $23,531 at SC.
  • Graduation: SC 48% vs WSU 43%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SC $37,400 vs WSU $43,800 (median).
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Key differences

Sterling College Wichita State University
Acceptance rate
SC more selective
SC48.2%
WSU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WSU higher
SC938-1123
WSU905-1240
Average net price
WSU $9,303 less
SC$23,531
WSU$14,228
In-state tuition
WSU $24,016 less
SC$33,700
WSU$9,684
Out-of-state tuition
WSU $13,831 less
SC$33,700
WSU$19,869
Graduation rate
SC +5 pts
SC48%
WSU43%
Median earnings (10 years)
WSU +$6,400
SC$37,400
WSU$43,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SC 820
  • WSU 9,916
  • Admitted
  • SC 395
  • WSU 9,316
  • Acceptance rate
  • SC 48.2%
  • WSU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SC 30.4%
  • WSU 20.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SC 1030
  • WSU 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • SC 21
  • WSU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • SC 3.46
  • WSU 3.48
  • Typical high school grades
  • SC B+
  • WSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • SC Very Easy
  • WSU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • SC Low
  • WSU
  • SAT range
  • SC 938-1123
  • WSU 905-1240
  • ACT range
  • SC 18-24
  • WSU 17-25
  • Submit test scores
  • SC Test optional
  • WSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SC Aug 17, 2027
  • WSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SC $33,700
  • WSU $9,684
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SC $33,700
  • WSU $19,869
  • Room & board
  • SC $9,586
  • WSU $12,420
  • Average net price
  • SC $23,531
  • WSU $14,228
  • Average grant aid
  • SC $23,673
  • WSU $8,125
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SC 100%
  • WSU 89%
  • Graduation rate
  • SC 48%
  • WSU 43%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SC $37,400
  • WSU $43,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • SC 60%
  • WSU 55%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SC $24,663
  • WSU $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • SC $255
  • WSU $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SC 8:1
  • WSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • SC
    • Education (26%)
    • Business (22%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • WSU
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • Location
  • SC Sterling, KS
  • WSU Wichita, KS
  • Setting
  • SC Remote Town
  • WSU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • SC 694
  • WSU 16,689
  • Type
  • SC Private 4 Year
  • WSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SC
  • WSU #746

Comparable Facts

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

Wichita State University is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 694 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); Wichita State University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
  • Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; Wichita State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 22.8% lower than at Wichita State University ($9,586 vs. $12,420).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 69.6% higher at SC than at Wichita State University (about $13,831 more per year; $33,700 vs. $19,869).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Wichita State University (100% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 191.4% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($23,673 vs. $8,125).

Admissions details

  • Incoming SC students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at WSU (21).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SC and WSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WSU average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at SC (3.46).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 20.1% at WSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wichita State University graduates have a $4,163 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,663).
  • Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($211 vs. $255).
  • More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU 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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