With a large increase from previous years, Sterling College announced that 87 students were enrolled in their dual credit program with Sterling High School and Berean Academy High School. This is the highest enrollment of dual credit high school students in Sterling College’s history as a four-year college.

“Any time we can help high school students better prepare for college, we want to do that. By enrolling in dual credit courses, high school students can reduce their overall load as an incoming college freshman. Some students can take up to a year off of their time at college through dual credit, Advanced Placement and CLEP testing. This allows them to save money on tuition dollars and prepare them for collegiate academics at the same time,” said Dennis Dutton, vice president for enrollment.

Sterling College has had a long-standing relationship with the juniors and seniors at Sterling High School. The College partnered with Berean Academy High School in Elbing, Kansas, for the first time this year to offer dual credit classes there as well. Both high schools signed a three-year contract with Sterling.

Classes offered to high school students vary based on location but include subjects such as College Algebra, American Government, Financial Accounting and Business. Enrolled students must be a junior or senior and pay a fee of $75 per credit hour for each class they take.

“The cost of dual credit courses through Sterling College is on par and even less expensive than dual credit offered through community colleges,” Dutton said. “The cost is one of the reasons we have seen an increase in the number of dual credit students.”

The enrolled students also have an added benefit for taking a Sterling College dual credit class: they are allowed into all campus events, including athletic and theatre events, at the price for Sterling College students, many of which are free upon showing their Sterling College Dual Credit Student ID.