Cooper College, located at Sterling, Rice county, was founded in 1887. The Sterling Land and Investment company was organized in 1886, and platted the "College Addition" to Sterling. One of the aims of the company was to erect a college building and a tract of 10 acres of land in the addition was donated for the purpose by Pliny F. Axtell, one of the early settlers. A building was erected by the land company, which in Oct., 1886, offered the site and building to the United Presbyterian synod of Kansas, with the condition that the synod endow, operate and maintain the school. The offer was accepted, provided five years should be allowed in which to raise the endowment fund of $25,000, and a contract to this effect was signed by the synod committee on Oct. 22. A charter was prepared and the name "Cooper Memorial" was adopted in honor of Rev. Joseph Cooper of Allegheny, Pa.

The school was opened on Nov. 1, 1887, with A. N. Porter as acting president and professor of mathematics and English literature; S. A. Wilson, professor of languages, and Miss Flora Harriman, instructor in music. The school began work without a dollar and was soon confronted by financial difficulties. At times it was feared the enterprise would have to be abandoned. Efforts were made to secure a president, but no one was chosen until 1889, when Dr. F. M. Spencer, former president of Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio, was secured. He was inaugurated on Sept. 4, and the college immediately entered upon a more prosperous era. The number of students increased; more instructors were employed; new departments were added; by 1891 the required endowment was raised; and the site and buildings were transferred to the synod. Chapel, recitation rooms, laboratories and other rooms were all provided in the three-story stone building. A dormitory for girls has since been built, and an art studio is located on Seventh street. The library contains some 4,000 catalogued books. The school has preparatory, normal, commercial and college courses, and special courses are given in the conservatory and art school. In 1908, the last available report, there were 183 students enrolled.