Sterling College
Sterling College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Sterling College Worth It?
At a value score of 17/100, Sterling College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,846 — 15% below average — while paying $22,371/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 34% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $24,625 representing 54% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Sterling College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Sterling College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in KS
Ranked #43 of 60 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Soka University of America | 67 | $18,260 | $55,017 |
| #3 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #4 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #5 | College of Saint Mary | 49 | $16,590 | $54,338 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #43 | Sterling College | 17 | $22,371 | $45,846 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Sterling College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in KS.
Best Programs at Sterling College
The highest-earning program at Sterling College is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $28,800/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate from Sterling College earns $28,800, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $28,800. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates carry $24,246 in median debt vs. $24,246 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,371/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,800 | $28,800 | $24,246 |
Similar Colleges in KS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Sterling, KS
- Student Body
- 538 students
- Admission Rate
- 48%
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,371
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,846
- Median Student Debt
- $24,625