Sterling College

Sterling College's published cost of attendance is $47,185. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $19,068, middle-income families pay around $21,975, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,602.

Azimuth ranks Sterling College #864 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.

Sterling College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and institutional aid processes. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between published cost and what families actually pay.

Aid packages typically include a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans; the specific mix depends on demonstrated financial need and the college's aid policies. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,625, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,508; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.

For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $44,980, median federal debt of $24,625 projects to a monthly payment of about $278 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).

Graduates of Sterling College earn median 4-year earnings of $44,980, placing Sterling College in the 2.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $15,707 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Sterling College in the 9.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Azimuth ranks Sterling College #1412 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Sterling's concentration in business and professional fields.

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other is the largest program with 18 graduates, followed by Business Administration with 16 graduates and Kinesiology with 13 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $38,771. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions and Psychology, General round out the top programs by enrollment.

The institution's focus on Business — which represents the dominant program family — aligns with career pathways that support solid early-career financial outcomes and long-term earnings stability.

Sterling College's program mix is anchored in Business, reflecting the institution's focus on applied professional preparation. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other is the largest program with 18 graduates, followed by Business Administration with 16 graduates, Kinesiology with 13 graduates, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions with 12 graduates, and Psychology, General with 10 graduates.

Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 103 students annually, the institution concentrates its academic portfolio in fields aligned with direct workforce entry and professional advancement. Kinesiology emerges as the institution's earnings leader, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $38,771 and 13 graduates annually.

This program reflects Sterling College's strength in preparing students for roles with immediate earning potential and career stability. The concentration of the largest cohorts in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other, Business Administration, and Kinesiology — which together account for a substantial share of degree output — demonstrates the institution's commitment to high-enrollment fields where employers actively recruit and graduate outcomes remain predictable.

The program-mix signature reflects Business at 26%, Education at 11%, and Arts at 6%, positioning Sterling College as a regionally focused institution serving students who prioritize clear pathways to employment. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional labor-market demand and long-term career sustainability.