Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Sterling, Kansas
53% Acceptance Rate
Sterling College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
53%Acceptance Rate
3.46Avg GPA
1031Avg SAT
$44,836Annual Cost
$45,846Grad Salary
31.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
53%
Avg GPA
3.46
Avg SAT
1031
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
991–1061
Need-Based Aid
31.7% receive Pell
Sterling College, founded in 1887 in Craftsbury Common, Vermont, is one of America's few 'work colleges' with programs focused on ecology, sustainable agriculture, and outdoor education.
The 130-acre campus includes working organic farms, wilderness areas, and renewable energy systems. All students contribute to campus operations through the work program while studying environmental stewardship.
Sterling College Acceptance Rate
Sterling College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 53% each year.
What SC Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 53% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.01
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Sterling College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Sterling College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
SC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SC is 3.46. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.16–3.46 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.66–3.86.SC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.06 – 3.25
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.05
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Sterling College, Sterling, KS (UNITID 155937) - Presbyterian Church USA affiliation; not the same institution as Sterling College in Craftsbury, VT (UNITID 231174). Confirm UNITID before use.
- Acceptance rate: Niche 48% (IPEDS-sourced, preferred), BigFuture 89% (likely stale or different cohort) - report as approximately 48?89% with significant source variation; test-optional; $25 fee waived when applying online at sterling.edu; August 15 deadline; founded 1887 as Cooper Memorial College.
- 50%+ of students involved in fine arts; Cooper Hall (1887) on National Register of Historic Places; CAATE-accredited athletic training program; 20+ athletic teams; no Greek system; dry campus; HLC accredited.
- ~670 total students (497 FT); six-year graduation rate ~41%; 87% receive financial aid; one hour from Wichita; average ACT 20 for admitted students; rural Sterling, KS (pop. ~2,400).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at SC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Sterling College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Sterling College (SC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SC Without SAT or ACT?
SC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Sterling College Average SAT Score: 1031
The average SAT score of admitted students at Sterling College is 1031 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1031 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1061 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Sterling College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 991, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SC. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1031 | 991 | 1061 |
Below 991, you're behind most admitted students; at 1061 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Sterling College (SC) with a 1050 SAT?
A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of SC's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SC
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SC is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Confirm You Are Researching Sterling College in Kansas, Not Vermont
There are two institutions named Sterling College in the United States: Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas (UNITID 155937, Presbyterian affiliation, liberal arts, ~670 students) and Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, Vermont (UNITID 231174, a distinctive environmental and outdoor leadership college with a working farm model and fewer than 200 students). They share a name and no other characteristics. Before building any College Portal content or advising a student on "Sterling College," confirm which campus is intended. This row covers the Kansas institution exclusively - a Christ-centered, Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts college founded in 1887 in central Kansas, one hour from Wichita.
Fine Arts Is Structurally Central, Not an Add-On
More than 50% of Sterling's students are involved in at least one area of the fine arts - a remarkable figure for a college of ~670 students also fielding 20+ athletic teams. Music, theatre, and visual arts are not peripheral at Sterling; they are central to the campus's identity and daily rhythm. The 1887 Cooper Hall, on the National Register of Historic Places, anchors the campus. For students who want to compete athletically and engage seriously in music, theatre, or visual arts at the same time - without choosing between them - Sterling's scale makes that dual-participation genuinely possible in ways that Division I or even Division II campuses rarely allow. If that describes you, name it specifically in your application.
Apply Online to Waive the Application Fee
Sterling's $25 application fee is waived for students who apply directly through sterling.edu. There is no supplemental essay required for standard first-year admission, and the application is straightforward. The college is test-optional; SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required. The August 15 regular deadline is the primary fall deadline, but Sterling encourages early application - earlier applicants receive earlier admission and financial aid decisions, which matters at a school where 87% of students receive some form of aid. Merit scholarships are awarded at admission and do not require a separate application.
Understand What Sterling, Kansas Actually Is Before You Commit
Sterling is a town of approximately 2,400 people in Rice County, Kansas - one hour from Wichita, the nearest city of meaningful size. There is no commercial entertainment district, minimal off-campus dining, and a genuinely rural agricultural landscape. Students who thrive at Sterling are those who build their social and intellectual world from within the campus community itself - sports, fine arts, chapel, student organizations - rather than needing access to urban amenities. Students who visit Sterling and feel at home in this environment almost universally report high satisfaction. Students who enroll without visiting and expecting a more suburban college-town environment consistently find the isolation more significant than they anticipated. Visit before you commit.
Expert Insight:
Sterling's acceptance rate is genuinely inconsistent across aggregators: BigFuture reports 89%, while Niche reports 48%. The 48% figure (Niche, IPEDS-sourced) is more consistent with recent cohort data and reflects a more selective applicant-to-admit ratio than the BigFuture figure suggests. Regardless, the six-year graduation rate of approximately 41% (Niche) is the more consequential number - students who commit to Sterling should ask admissions directly about major-specific completion rates, what academic support looks like after freshman year, and whether merit scholarship awards are guaranteed for four years under specific GPA conditions, since scholarship renewal terms vary significantly across small Christian colleges in this category.
SC Profile
Full Name
Sterling College (SC)
City
Sterling
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
67579
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a SC Degree Worth It?
SC offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $58,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.07%.
How much does a degree from SC Cost?
The sticker price is $44,836/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
31.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 49.7% take federal loans at SC — file your FAFSA early and list SC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $45,846 — about 13% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Sterling College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Sterling College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA | 1037 | 20 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI | 1025 | 19 |
| Greenville University | Greenville, IL | 1034 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Sterling College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
Degree Programs at SC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SC Admissions
Median earnings for Sterling College graduates sit around $45,846 a year.
Sterling College costs roughly $44,836 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 31.7% receive a Pell Grant at Sterling College — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 53%, Sterling College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Sterling College average a 3.46 GPA.
Sterling College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.16 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.06, Sterling College becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Sterling College — aim above 1031, ideally within the 991–1061 range admitted students typically fall in.
Sterling College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.