Sterling College Welcomes
Northland Students

Guaranteed Acceptance

Sterling College guarantees acceptance for all Northland College students who have 2.0 GPA or above and will accept all credits from those qualified students. Apply through the Common Application and send us your current financial aid package from Northland and we will do our best to meet your financial need.

FAQs

  • Sterling College shares Northland’s commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and experiential learning, making it a strong academic and cultural match. Additionally, Sterling offers small class sizes, a hands-on learning approach, and a close-knit community, which can help Northland students transition smoothly.

  • Our guaranteed acceptance will cover students enrolling Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026.

    Students who wish to enroll in Summer 2025 can chose to enroll in an internship for credit or enroll in our paired Ecology courses, Field Botany of Flowering Plants & Field Ornithology.

    Schedules and registration details for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 will be available by the end of March.

  • Sterling has two degree offerings. Either a Bachelors or an Associates in Environmental Studies. Students pursuing the BA can choose to concentrate their studies in a related field such as ecology, outdoor education, environmental humanities or sustainable agriculture and food systems.

    BA Degree in Environmental Studies Checklist

    AA Degree in Environmental Studies Checklist

  • The time to graduation depends on the number of transferable credits and how they align with Sterling’s degree requirements. An academic advisor at Sterling will create an individualized plan to help each student graduate as efficiently as possible.

  • Yes, Sterling provides housing options for transfer students, including residence halls and alternative housing arrangements. The Student Life team will assist Northland students in securing accommodations that best fit their needs and preferences.

  • Sterling College’s graduating ecological stewards go on to careers as ecologists, artists, professors, writers, farmers, entrepreneurs, leaders of environmental organizations, librarians, city planners, foresters, Peace Corps volunteers, and teachers. 75% of alums are employed in their field within one year of graduation.


Take the next steps.

  • Submit Your Common App

    1. Complete the FREE Common Application
    2. Send in your supporting transcripts.
    3. Send in your Northland College financial aid offer from 2024-2025.
    4. File your 2025-2026 FAFSA, and add Sterling College to the school list.

    Once accepted to Sterling College, you will receive a financial aid offer. We will do our best to match your financial aid offer from Northland.

    Apply Today

  • Chat with the Admission Team

    Speak with one of our Admission Counselors about transferring to Sterling. Learn more about academics, the farm, work program, dorms, the climbing wall, community, and all things Sterling! We are happy to make connections to faculty advisors in your field of study and the Registrar.

    Schedule A Call

  • Visit Sterling

    Step onto campus today and see what makes us so different. Come for a one on one campus tour, Open House or Accepted Student Days.

    Schedule A Visit

Sterling College will accept all credits for Northland College students transferring in with a GPA of 2.0 or above. The following spreadsheet lists Northland College courses and their equivalent at Sterling College.

Please note: 

-This is not a comprehensive list of all Northland College courses, but a guide to help students understand how their previously earned credits may be applied to a Sterling College degree. All courses not listed on this document will be considered for transfer and fulfillment of Sterling College requirements by our Curriculum Committee.  

-Courses without a specific checklist requirement will count as electives on the Sterling College checklists; however, students can combine elective courses as part of petition to substitute particular requirements based on competencies.

-Students with AP credits or credits previously earned at another institution should submit official transcripts for review. Sterling will accept all credits accepted by Northland College.