SC Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Sterling, KS
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SC Admission Overview

SC admission requirements are competitive. Last year SC admitted 48.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.46 GPA (B+) and SAT 938-1123 / ACT 18-24. SC is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SC Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

48.2%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Sterling College

Acceptance Rate

The SC acceptance rate is 48.2%. Last year, 395 of 820 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Kansas.

Admission Selectivity

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

SC is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Sterling College typically 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. 30% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SC GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.46

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.46

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at SC typically have around a 3.46 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. SC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #7 in Kansas for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Sterling College freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

SC SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

938-1123

Freshmen who sent SAT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 483
  • Math 455
  • Composite 938
SAT 25th percentile scores for Sterling College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 545
  • Math 578
  • Composite 1123
SAT 75th percentile scores for Sterling College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at SC typically score around a 1030 SAT (middle 50% 938–1123) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 45th percentile nationally. SC ranks #9 in the state of Kansas for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 938 to 1123

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

SC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Sterling College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1123+ Above 75th >64%
1030 to 1123 Avg + 48%-64%
938 to 1030 Avg - 33%-48%
Below 938 Below mid-50 <33%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SC ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

18-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

1%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 16
  • Math 17
  • Composite 18
ACT 25th percentile scores for Sterling College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 23
  • Math 24
  • Composite 24
ACT 75th percentile scores for Sterling College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at SC typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 18–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. SC places #8 among colleges in Kansas for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to SC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Sterling College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
24+ Above 75th >64%
21 to 24 Avg + 48%-64%
18 to 21 Avg - 33%-48%
Below 18 Below mid-50 <33%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the SC chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Sterling College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 251 569 820
Accepted 131 264 395
Acceptance Rate 52% 46% 48%
Enrolled 41 79 120
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 31% 30% 30%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Sterling College application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 17, 2027

Days left to Apply

351

Applicants have 351 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 17, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Sterling College
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

SC is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 48.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.46 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (938-1123); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=155937.

GPA calculator: Sterling College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026