The average acceptance rate at SC over the past 10 years is 45.79%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 48.17%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly more competitive to gain admission to SC in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 24.81%, and the 2025 yield is 30.38%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 0.24% from 2015 to 2025.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 48.17%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that SC is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 30.38%. This stable yield rate reflects consistent conversion of admissions offers into actual enrollments at SC. The stability indicates predictable enrollment outcomes and sustainable admission practices.
For the 2025 admission cycle, SC received approximately 820 applications, admitted 395 students, and enrolled 120 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing SC's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
SC 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at SC over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 45.79%, while the most recent rate stands at 48.17%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 48.17%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 44.25% and for women is 49.51%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at SC have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 41.41% | 37.89% | 47.36% |
| 2016-17 | 37.37% -4.05% |
35.27% -2.62% |
42.26% -5.10% |
| 2017-18 | 52.47% 15.11% |
51.54% 16.27% |
55.67% 13.41% |
| 2018-19 | 40.52% -11.96% |
38.92% -12.62% |
44.49% -11.17% |
| 2019-20 | 39.91% -0.60% |
39.03% 0.10% |
42.71% -1.79% |
| 2020-21 | 36.88% -3.03% |
35.74% -3.29% |
41.56% -1.15% |
| 2021-22 | 47.01% 10.13% |
48.01% 12.27% |
45.88% 4.32% |
| 2022-23 | 61.10% 14.09% |
61.57% 13.57% |
58.15% 12.27% |
| 2023-24 | 53.03% -8.08% |
48.12% -13.46% |
64.88% 6.73% |
| 2024-25 | 48.17% -4.86% |
46.40% -1.72% |
52.19% -12.68% |
| Average | 45.79% | 44.25% | 49.51% |
SC has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 30.45% in 2015 to 30.38% in 2025, representing a 0.24% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 24.81%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at SC from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 0.24% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 30.45% | 28.20% | 32.99% |
| 2016-17 | 33.16% 2.71% |
29.02% 0.82% |
41.22% 8.23% |
| 2017-18 | 23.62% -9.54% |
22.08% -6.94% |
28.51% -12.71% |
| 2018-19 | 24.26% 0.64% |
20.86% -1.22% |
31.68% 3.18% |
| 2019-20 | 21.98% -2.28% |
19.87% -0.99% |
28.05% -3.63% |
| 2020-21 | 21.43% -0.55% |
17.06% -2.81% |
36.77% 8.73% |
| 2021-22 | 17.02% -4.40% |
14.04% -3.02% |
35.93% -0.85% |
| 2022-23 | 13.37% -3.66% |
10.10% -3.95% |
35.03% -0.90% |
| 2023-24 | 32.42% 19.05% |
29.18% 19.09% |
38.22% 3.18% |
| 2024-25 | 30.38% -2.04% |
29.92% 0.74% |
31.30% -6.92% |
| Average | 24.81% | 22.03% | 33.97% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 1,517, the average number of admitted is 699, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 156.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Sterling College from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 1,118 | 463 | 141 |
| 2016-17 | 1,033 -7.60% |
386 -16.63% |
128 -9.22% |
| 2017-18 | 1,759 70.28% |
923 139.12% |
218 70.31% |
| 2018-19 | 1,587 -9.78% |
643 -30.34% |
156 -28.44% |
| 2019-20 | 1,596 0.57% |
637 -0.93% |
140 -10.26% |
| 2020-21 | 1,898 18.92% |
700 9.89% |
150 7.14% |
| 2021-22 | 2,574 35.62% |
1,210 72.86% |
206 37.33% |
| 2022-23 | 1,959 -23.89% |
1,197 -1.07% |
160 -22.33% |
| 2023-24 | 826 -57.84% |
438 -63.41% |
142 -11.25% |
| 2024-25 | 820 -0.73% |
395 -9.82% |
120 -15.49% |
| Average | 1,517 | 699 | 156 |
The following table compares Sterling College' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling College | 53.03% | 48.17% | -9.16% |
| Newman University | 73.98% | 47.61% | 55.39% |
| Benedictine College | 98.12% | 76.45% | 28.35% |
| Baker University | 94.19% | 92.10% | 2.27% |
| Friends University | 55.22% | 55.64% | -0.75% |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University | 78.80% | 73.46% | 7.27% |
Share your experiences and thoughts about Sterling College. It will be a great help to applicants and prospective students!