Sterling College
- Graduation Rate
- 34% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,846 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $22,371 D+
- 31% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 48% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $11.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $962,145.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 34% — 40% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Sterling College
Sterling College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 538
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Criminal Justice, Health Professions
Why students choose Sterling College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 48% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,371 a year after grants and scholarships — 31% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,846 ten years after enrolling — 12% above the typical college, against $24,625 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
Sterling College has a close-knit community with an enrollment of just 538 students, making it an ideal fit for those who appreciate personalized attention in their education. This school stands out for its programs in Business & Marketing, Education, Visual & Performing Arts, Criminal Justice, and Health Professions. With an acceptance rate of 48%, it strikes a balance between accessibility and selectivity, appealing to students looking for a supportive environment where they can develop their skills and passions.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $45,846 within ten years. This figure provides a practical lens for assessing the value of a Sterling College degree. While the graduation rate is 34%, those who do complete their studies tend to find opportunities in a range of fields, often leading to upward mobility. Affordability is also a consideration, as many students leverage financial aid to help manage costs.
The net price after aid comes to approximately $22,371, and the median debt for graduates sits at $24,625. This financial landscape is manageable for many, especially when paired with the potential earnings. Students who thrive here often value a hands-on approach to learning and seek a supportive community that encourages their personal and professional growth.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Sterling College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Sterling College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Sterling, Kansas, Sterling College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 48%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 48%
- Retention Rate
- 50%
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 62%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $4,904
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.67
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 1,959
- Admitted
- 1,197
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Sterling College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Sterling College is $33,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,371. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,068 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,625 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $33,700
- Out-of-State
- $33,700
- Avg Net Price
- $22,371
- Median Debt
- $24,625
- Pell Grant Rate
- 37%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,068
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,236
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,975
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,602
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Sterling College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Sterling College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Sterling College earn a median of $45,846, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,722
- 8 Years
- $42,526
- 10 Years
- $45,846
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (73)
- 40%
- 100% (73)
- 40%
- 100% (73)
- 40%
- 100% (73)
- 40%
How Sterling Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Sterling College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Sterling College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,371/year ($89,484 total). Graduates earn $45,846 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,051,629 in total earnings — a net gain of $962,145 (11.8× your investment). The median debt is $24,625, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 34% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $89,484
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,051,629
- Net Return
- $962,145
- ROI Multiple
- 11.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,371
- Median Debt
- $24,625
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,509,045
- Investment Income
- $-1,065,583
Top Programs
The fields Sterling College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24%
- Education 13% $43,660 early-career
- Criminal Justice 11%
- Health Professions 9%
- Psychology 4% $35,271 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- English & Literature 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Sterling College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Sterling College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Sterling, Kansas, Sterling College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 48%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Sterling College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Sterling College is $33,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,371. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,068 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,625 in federal student loans.
Is Sterling College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Sterling College earn a median of $45,846, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Sterling College.
- University of ProvidenceGreat Falls, MT · Close peer36% grad $48,296 earn 50% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Defiance CollegeDefiance, OH · Close peer34% grad $49,351 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethany CollegeLindsborg, KS · Close peer32% grad $49,694 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Warner UniversityLake Wales, FL · Close peer38% grad $46,086 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- York UniversityYork, NE · Close peer44% grad $44,130 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Andrew CollegeCuthbert, GA · Close peer30% grad $38,475 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
