| Index | Sterling | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 28% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 9 | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 4 | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 1 | 306 | 7,963 |
| Index | Sterling | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 83.2% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 80.9% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 53.5% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 24.2% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 15.4% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 4.7% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.1% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.2% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 9 public schools, 4 private schools and 1 post-secondary schools in Sterling. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Sterling, IL schools is 28%. The average student to teacher ratio is 16:1. In Sterling, IL, an average of 83.2% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 80.9% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Chadwick, IL | 529 | 52% | 8.9% |
| Polo, IL | 2,210 | 39% | 19.1% |
| Morrison, IL | 3,850 | 36% | 25.7% |
| Milledgeville, IL | 987 | 35% | 27.1% |
| Tampico, IL | 771 | 35% | 28.1% |
| Sterling, IL | 14,774 | 28% | 41.7% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Gloversville, NY | 14,771 | 45% | 6.3% |
| Grovetown, GA | 14,777 | 48% | 0.3% |
| Fort Leonard Wood, MO | 14,779 | 60% | 24.0% |
| El Sobrante, CA | 14,779 | 37% | 23.8% |
| Mount Vernon, IL | 14,769 | 28% | 40.9% |
| Sterling, IL | 14,774 | 28% | 41.7% |
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