Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
Sterling , KS
Sterling College is a small, liberal arts college located in Craftsbury, Vermont, known for its emphasis on environmental stewardship and a commitment to sustainable living. Established in 1958, Sterling College has a unique educational model that integrates academics, work experience, and community involvement.
One of the key defining features of Sterling College is its focus on ecological thinking and sustainable practices. The college's curriculum is centered around environmental studies, with majors such as Ecology, Environmental Humanities, Sustainable Agriculture, and Outdoor Education. Students at Sterling College are encouraged to engage with their natural surroundings and learn hands-on skills in organic farming, forestry, and renewable energy.
The college also boasts a distinctive featureùits commitment to experiential learning and work-based education. Sterling College follows a semester-based schedule, with students spending their time both in the classroom and out in the field. Through its Work Program, students have the opportunity to work on campus or in the local community, which not only helps cover their tuition expenses, but also provides them with valuable practical skills and real-life work experience.
In addition to its academic focus, Sterling College fosters a close-knit community with a strong sense of environmental responsibility. The campus itself is a living laboratory for sustainable living practices, with green buildings, composting systems, and a student-run farm. The college also hosts numerous workshops, events, and conferences centered around sustainability and ecological thinking. Overall, Sterling College offers a unique and immersive educational experience for students passionate about the environment and sustainable living.
Located in Sterling, KS and set in a rural environment, Sterling College is a private four-year college. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 89%. The freshman retention rate at Sterling College is 50% and the six-year graduation rate is 40%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about Sterling College.
Quick Facts
670
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$33,000
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
40%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Learn some essential data about admission at Sterling College.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 395 in 2025. Sterling College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 16% and ACT scores 20%. 36.8% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 42.1% between 1,000 and 1,199, 15.8% of the students between 800 and 999, and 5.3% between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 4.2, 12.5 between 24-29, 75 in the range between 18-23, and 8.3 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 22 while the average GPA was 3.35. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Sterling College; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 590 and an average SAT Math score of 550.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Sterling College was 50%.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 40%.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the right fit for you is not a simple task. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 694 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 64% for that year. There was a total of 670 undergraduate students, including 61 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 55.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 309 male and 212 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Sterling College.
This school had 3 Asian students and 52 Afro-American students in 2025. 94 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 31 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 13 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Sterling College? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $33,000 in 2025. Sterling College is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,200.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,383.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At Sterling College, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $9,674. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 totaled $3,916 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $5,209.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 33,000 |
| Room and Board | $ 9,674 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,383 |
| Total Expense | $ 44,057 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Sterling College, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 57 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $27,033 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 342 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Sterling College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 359. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $1,282,412, and state $666,321.
$13,607
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $1,070,588. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $632,901 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Sterling College was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 105 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 53 men and 52 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Sterling College is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at Sterling College.
It has a campus size of 46 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
This school has 18 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is Theatre at Sterling College, followed by Student Leadership Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Other popular organizations among the students at Sterling College are Campus Activities Ministries and Student Government Association.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Sterling College publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Sterling College, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Sterling College.
All in all, campus life at Sterling College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Sterling College.
Career Counselling
At Sterling College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 45,000 USD.
$45,000
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS.
-
Sterling College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Sterling College is 33,000 USD, based on the most recent data.
-
This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Sterling College is 89%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Sterling College is 50%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
