Sterling College provides an affordable pathway to private Christian liberal arts education, with net prices significantly lower than most private institutions.
The small college environment offers personalized attention and community connections, though families should carefully consider long-term earnings outcomes in their decision-making process.
Sterling College is a small private nonprofit institution in Kansas that offers an intimate educational experience with a focus on Christian liberal arts education. While the college provides affordable access to private higher education, with net prices significantly lower than many private institutions, students and families should understand that long-term earnings outcomes are more modest compared to national averages. Graduates earn a median of $45,846 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the lower third nationally for earnings outcomes.
The college serves a diverse student body, with about 32% receiving Pell Grants and 34% being first-generation college students, demonstrating meaningful access for students from various economic backgrounds. However, graduation rates present challenges, with only 29% of students completing their degree within six years, though this rises to 43% by the eight-year mark. Sterling's small size creates opportunities for personalized attention and close faculty relationships that many students value.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution in terms of mobility outcomes, Sterling College provides moderate access with mixed results for student success. The college's Christian mission and small-town Kansas setting appeal to students seeking a particular type of educational environment, though families should carefully weigh the trade-offs between the intimate college experience and longer-term financial outcomes when making their decision.
Sterling College's program offerings reflect its mission as a small Christian liberal arts institution, though specific program-level data is limited in our analysis. The college's focus on liberal arts education typically encompasses fields such as education, ministry, social work, and general studies that align with its Christian mission and values-based approach to learning. These programs often emphasize personal development, critical thinking, and service-oriented career paths rather than high-earning professional tracks.
The absence of high-earning professional programs like engineering, computer science, business, or healthcare helps explain the college's modest earnings outcomes. While liberal arts education provides valuable skills in communication, analysis, and ethical reasoning, graduates often enter career fields with more moderate compensation levels. Students interested in Sterling should understand that their educational experience will likely emphasize personal growth, spiritual development, and preparation for service-oriented careers rather than maximizing earning potential.
Prospective students should carefully consider how Sterling's program mix aligns with their career goals and financial expectations. The college's strength lies in providing a supportive, faith-based educational environment that prepares students for meaningful work in education, ministry, social services, and community leadership roles, though these paths typically offer more modest financial returns compared to technical or professional degree programs available at larger institutions.
Sterling College graduates face more challenging long-term earnings prospects compared to national averages. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $45,846, which places the institution in the bottom third nationally for earnings outcomes. The college's earnings performance falls short of expectations, with graduates earning about $3,685 less than similar students at comparable institutions, suggesting that the investment may not yield the financial returns seen elsewhere.
The modest earnings outcomes reflect several institutional factors. As a small liberal arts college with limited program diversity, Sterling lacks the high-earning professional programs like engineering, computer science, or business that drive stronger financial outcomes at other institutions. The college's focus on liberal arts education, while valuable for personal development and critical thinking skills, typically leads to career paths with more moderate earning potential in fields such as education, social services, and ministry.
Only 17 graduates earn more than $75,000 annually, highlighting the concentration of outcomes in lower-to-moderate income ranges. Students considering Sterling should carefully evaluate their career goals and financial expectations, understanding that while the college provides valuable educational experiences and personal growth opportunities, the long-term financial return on investment is below what most families might expect from higher education. The earnings trajectory suggests that graduates may face greater challenges in loan repayment and building long-term wealth compared to peers at institutions with stronger economic outcomes.
Sterling College offers relatively strong affordability for a private institution, making it accessible to families across different income levels. Low-income students pay approximately $18,043 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $21,760, and higher-income families pay about $25,938. These net prices are significantly lower than many private colleges, reflecting the institution's commitment to keeping education accessible despite its private status.
The college's financial aid approach helps reduce the sticker price substantially for most families. The relatively modest net prices across income bands suggest that Sterling provides meaningful grant aid and scholarships to help offset tuition costs. This pricing structure makes private education more attainable for families who might otherwise be priced out of the private college market, particularly those in the low-to-moderate income ranges who benefit most from the college's aid policies.
However, families should carefully consider the relationship between affordability and long-term value. While Sterling's upfront costs are manageable for a private institution, the modest earnings outcomes mean that the return on this educational investment may be lower than at institutions with higher net prices but stronger career outcomes. Students typically graduate with about $24,625 in federal loan debt, which represents a significant burden given the college's below-average earnings trajectory, requiring careful financial planning for successful loan repayment.
Sterling College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
