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Sterling College-Kansas

#1252 in US ranking Sterling, KS
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$49,063
Tuition & fees
$35,200
Avg. aid
$21,563
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
48%
Avg. SAT
1082
Avg. ACT
22

Outcomes

Graduation rate
41%
Median salary
$40,377
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Sterling College-Kansas?

Sterling College is a private Christian college founded in Sterling, Kansas, in 1887 as Cooper Memorial College. It later adopted the Sterling College name, retaining a connection to Presbyterian higher education.

That history helps explain the college's present combination of liberal arts, professional programs and Christian education. Applicants searching for the school should specify Sterling College in Kansas: it is a different institution from Sterling College in Vermont.

What are the faculties and departments at Sterling College-Kansas?

Sterling College offers undergraduate study across the liberal arts and professional fields rather than operating as a large university with numerous separate colleges. Its academic offerings include education, business, biology, psychology, communication, criminal justice, music, theater and religious studies.

Students comparing majors should look beyond the program name to its course sequence, available concentrations and delivery format. Education applicants, in particular, should check which programs lead toward Kansas teacher licensure and what field placements or additional state requirements apply. The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 8 to 1, but that institution-wide figure does not establish the size of any particular class or the availability of a required course.

What is the location of Sterling College-Kansas?

Sterling College is in Sterling, a small community in central Kansas. Its setting differs from an urban campus: students should expect a college-centered town and plan ahead for transportation to destinations beyond the immediate area.

The college reports that first-year students may park a car on campus. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is a regional air-travel option, but getting between the airport and Sterling requires additional ground transportation. Applicants who expect to commute, work off campus or travel home regularly should account for those trips when estimating expenses.

What is the mission and vision of Sterling College-Kansas?

Sterling College describes its educational mission in Christian terms, with an emphasis on developing thoughtful, creative leaders and a maturing Christian faith. Its religious identity is relevant to applicants evaluating the academic environment and campus activities.

A stated mission describes the education a college intends to provide; it does not, by itself, measure student outcomes. Prospective students may want to review the current catalog and student handbook for the specific expectations that accompany Sterling's Christian affiliation, including any requirements involving chapel, coursework or community conduct.

Sterling College-Kansas Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Sterling College-Kansas

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

Rural: Remote

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

Under 1,000

School type

Four-year college

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1887

Sterling College-Kansas Accreditation

Sterling College-Kansas is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Sterling College-Kansas Programs and Degrees

iconBachelor's degree
iconMaster's degree

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.