Colleges Near Sterling, Illinois
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Sterling? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 50 miles of Sterling, Illinois.
There are at least 9 colleges serving the area, including 1 private college or university, 0 public colleges and universities, and 5 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Sterling, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Sterling, Illinois Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Sterling, Illinois have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 1,722 doctorates at colleges and universities near Sterling. That was a decrease of 14% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Sterling, Illinois
There are at least 1 school offering degrees near Sterling, Illinois, and 1 is a four-year private college or university where about 5,111 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 2,605 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,605 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Sterling, Illinois area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,602 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 98 associate degrees, 840 master's degrees, and 65 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Sterling, Illinois
There are 5 community colleges near Sterling, Illinois where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 8,001 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Sterling, and about 1,580 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Sauk Valley Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,164
Completions By Degree
231
Est. Online Degree Availability
5%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Highland Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
926
Completions By Degree
192
Est. Online Degree Availability
48%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Black Hawk College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,266
Completions By Degree
426
Est. Online Degree Availability
51%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Illinois Valley Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,851
Completions By Degree
391
Est. Online Degree Availability
63%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Kishwaukee College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,794
Completions By Degree
340
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
2-Year Private Nonprofit Schools Near Sterling, Illinois
There is at least 1 two-year private nonprofit school offering associate degrees near Sterling, Illinois. According to 2024 data from Lightcast™, in 2024, a total of 28 associate degrees were completed at those institutions. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Morrison Institute of Technology is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Morrison Institute of Technology. In 2024, 28 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
54
Completions By Degree
28
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
2-Year Private For-Profit Schools Near Sterling, Illinois
There are at least 2 two-year private for-profit schools offering associate degrees near Sterling, Illinois. According to 2024 data from Lightcast™, in 2024, a total of 114 associate degrees were completed at those institutions. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College. In 2024, 93 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
733
Completions By Degree
93
Est. Online Degree Availability
25%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Orion Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Orion Technical College. In 2024, 15 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 6 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
73
Completions By Degree
21
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Sterling, Illinois
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Sterling, Illinois? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Sterling-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $9,577. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Sterling is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Sterling, Illinois
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Sterling, Illinois is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Sterling, Illinois here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Sauk Valley Community College
- Highland Community College
- Black Hawk College
- Illinois Valley Community College
- Kishwaukee College
Sterling, Illinois Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Sterling? What's the Sterling, Illinois job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 544,606 jobs in the Sterling, Illinois area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Sterling was below the national average, at 0.5%. There were 66,484 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Sterling do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $22.03.