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Sterling College

Sterling, KS·Private·www.sterling.edu/

Campus Identity

NAIAGraduate Programs

Sterling College is a small private nonprofit university in Sterling, KS. Approximately 538 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 48% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Sterling College is a small private nonprofit university in Sterling, KS. Approximately 538 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 48% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

48%
Acceptance Rate
820 applications
22
ACT Score (50th %ile)
$27,000
In-State Tuition
+$1,500 fees
$27,000
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,500 fees
$9,961
Room & Board
21 meals/week
538
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
30%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NAIA
Athletics
KCAC
Selectivity48% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NAIA

KCAC

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Rural setting

Ski Access

194 miles

Snow Creek Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

48°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

194 mi away
30 skiable acres6 lifts
250 mi away
50 skiable acres2 lifts
379 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Sterling, KS

31°Jan34°Feb44°Mar54°Apr65°May76°Jun81°Jul78°Aug70°Sep57°Oct43°Nov33°Dec

Station: STERLING · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

50/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety456737
45/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
67/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
37/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$27,000
Fees
$1,500
Room & Board
$9,961
Total
$38,461
Meal Plan: 21 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

43 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
16 grads/yr$38,771
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsBachelor's
8 grads/yr
Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsBachelor's
8 grads/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, OtherBachelor's
8 grads/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
7 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's16 grads$38,771
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor's8 grads
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Bachelor's8 grads
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Bachelor's8 grads
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's7 grads
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Master's7 grads
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Bachelor's5 grads
Finance and Financial Management Services
Bachelor's5 grads
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Bachelor's4 grads
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's4 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sterling College located?

Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS. The main campus address is 125 W. Cooper, Sterling, KS. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Sterling College?

Sterling College has an acceptance rate of 48%, making it selective. Out of 820 applicants, 395 were admitted in the most recent year. 538 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Sterling College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Sterling College scored between ? and ? on the ACT, with a median of 22. About 1% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Sterling College?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Sterling College charges $27,000/year in tuition. Including room and board ($9,961/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $28,500/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Sterling College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Sterling College have college sports?

Yes — Sterling College competes at the NAIA level in the KCAC. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Sterling College the right fit for me?

Whether Sterling College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (48% admit rate), cost ($27,000/year out-of-state), campus culture in Sterling, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Sterling College against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Sterling College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Sterling, KS
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NAIA
Conference
KCAC
School Year Weather
Warm · 48°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
50/100
Nearest Airport
Hutchinson, KS (HUT) · 22 mialso SLN (50 mi), RSL (56 mi)

Location

Sterling, KS

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.