KU vs. SC

University of Kansas and Sterling College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Kansas
Sterling College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SC (48.2% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: KU. Average net price is $19,205 vs $23,531 at SC.
  • Graduation: KU 61% vs SC 48%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KU $54,600 vs SC $37,400 (median).
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Key differences

University of Kansas Sterling College
Acceptance rate
SC more selective
KU93.5%
SC48.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
KU higher
KU1070-1300
SC938-1123
Average net price
KU $4,326 less
KU$19,205
SC$23,531
In-state tuition
KU $21,598 less
KU$12,102
SC$33,700
Out-of-state tuition
KU $3,268 less
KU$30,432
SC$33,700
Graduation rate
KU +13 pts
KU61%
SC48%
Median earnings (10 years)
KU +$17,200
KU$54,600
SC$37,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • KU 22,363
  • SC 820
  • Admitted
  • KU 20,905
  • SC 395
  • Acceptance rate
  • KU 93.5%
  • SC 48.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KU 25.5%
  • SC 30.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KU 1190
  • SC 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • KU 24
  • SC 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • KU 3.66
  • SC 3.46
  • Typical high school grades
  • KU A-
  • SC B+
  • Admissions standards
  • KU Challenging
  • SC Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • KU
  • SC Low
  • SAT range
  • KU 1070-1300
  • SC 938-1123
  • ACT range
  • KU 20-28
  • SC 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • KU Test optional
  • SC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • KU Aug 15, 2027
  • SC Aug 17, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KU $12,102
  • SC $33,700
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KU $30,432
  • SC $33,700
  • Room & board
  • KU $11,358
  • SC $9,586
  • Average net price
  • KU $19,205
  • SC $23,531
  • Average grant aid
  • KU $11,541
  • SC $23,673
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KU 91%
  • SC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • KU 61%
  • SC 48%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KU $54,600
  • SC $37,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • KU 66%
  • SC 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KU $20,500
  • SC $24,663
  • Median loan payment
  • KU $211
  • SC $255
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KU 18:1
  • SC 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • KU
    • Business (15%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • SC
    • Education (26%)
    • Business (22%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)

  • School basics

  • Location
  • KU Lawrence, KS
  • SC Sterling, KS
  • Setting
  • KU Small City
  • SC Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • KU 29,792
  • SC 694
  • Type
  • KU Public 4 Year
  • SC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KU #317
  • SC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kansas is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 694 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting); Sterling College is in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting).
  • University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kansas 18:1; Sterling College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 15.6% lower than at University of Kansas ($9,586 vs. $11,358).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at SC than at University of Kansas (about $3,268 more per year; $33,700 vs. $30,432).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at University of Kansas (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 105.1% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($23,673 vs. $11,541).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at KU than at SC (24 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both KU and SC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027; SC Aug 17, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at KU average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at SC (3.46).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at KU vs. 30.4% at SC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $4,163 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,663).
  • Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($211 vs. $255).
  • More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 60%).

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

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