| Index | Sterling | Nebraska | National |
| Average Test Scores | 58% | 53% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | n/a | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | n/a | 780 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 182 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 56 | 7,963 |

| Index | Sterling | Nebraska | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 92.8% | 88.4% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 92.8% | 87.2% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 54.1% | 63.7% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 32.4% | 40.1% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 16.5% | 30.0% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 3.9% | 9.9% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.8% | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of n/a public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Sterling. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Sterling, NE schools is 58%. The average student to teacher ratio is n/a. In Sterling, NE, an average of 92.8% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 92.8% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Syracuse, NE | 2,120 | 67% | 39.9% |
| Firth, NE | 440 | 65% | 35.1% |
| Adams, NE | 574 | 62% | 29.2% |
| Cook, NE | 365 | 47% | 2.1% |
| Tecumseh, NE | 1,883 | 45% | 6.3% |
| Sterling, NE | 513 | 58% | 19.8% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Micanopy, FL | 513 | 64% | 32.3% |
| Bell City, MO | 513 | 52% | 8.3% |
| Shishmaref, AK | 513 | 7% | 86.5% |
| Hartley, TX | 513 | 57% | 18.8% |
| Three Lakes, WI | 513 | 46% | 5.2% |
| Sterling, NE | 513 | 58% | 19.8% |