S
Private 4 Year

SC Admission Requirements

Sterling, Kansas

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Your chances of getting into Sterling College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

61.1%
Admission Difficulty for Sterling College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very Easy 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at SC is 61.1%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in Kansas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into SC and can you get accepted?

SC is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 1,197 out of the 1,959 who applied were admitted.

Sterling College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.46. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into SC?

61% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Sterling College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.46 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1030 on the SAT
  • Score 21 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

SC GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.46

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Sterling College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into SC are to have around a 3.46 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as SC accepts 61% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at SC is 3.46 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #7 in Kansas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since SC is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Sterling College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 9.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 19.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 14.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

SC SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Sterling College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 10% of students submitted SAT scores and 31% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

938-1123

Applicants Submitting SAT 

10%
SAT Scores for Sterling College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 483
Math 25th Percentile 455
Composite 25th Percentile 938
SAT Scores for Sterling College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 545
Math 75th Percentile 578
Composite 75th Percentile 1123
Average SAT Score 1030

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Sterling College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at SC is 1030 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 938-1123. Students who get into Sterling College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  SC ranks #8 in the state of Kansas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1030 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. SC regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 938 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 938, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 850, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Sterling College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1030 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1030, you have around a 61% chance of being admitted. A 1123 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 75% chance of getting in.

Sterling College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1123 and Above Good >75%
1030 to 1123 Avg + 61%-75%
938 to 1030 Avg - 45%-61%
846 to 938 Reach 30%-45%
Less than 846 Low <30%
Calculate My Chances 

SC ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-24 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

31%
ACT Scores for Sterling College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 16
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for Sterling College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 23
Math 75th Percentile 24
Composite 75th Percentile 24
Average ACT Score 21

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into SC?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to SC is 21, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 24.  The school ranks #8 in Kansas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 21. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

31 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Sterling College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Sterling College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into SC for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 21 score has around 61% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 75% with a 24 ACT score.

Sterling College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
24 and Above Good >75%
21 to 24 Avg + 61%-75%
18 to 21 Avg - 45%-61%
15 to 18 Reach 30%-45%
Less than 15 Low <30%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

69% of Sterling College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 33% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Sterling College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 11%
Top 25% of class 33%
Top 50% of class 69%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Sterling College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 270 1,689 1,959
Accepted 157 1,040 1,197
Acceptance Rate 58% 62% 61%
Enrolled 55 105 160
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 35% 10% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 17, 2025

Days left to Apply

268

Applicants have 268 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 17, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Sterling College is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Sterling College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Sterling College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Sterling College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because SC is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.46 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1030 on the SAT and 21 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=155937 IPEDS survey data for Sterling College.

Last updated February 24, 2024