Head-to-head · 2026
Bennington College vs Sterling College
Compare average net price ($30,947 at Bennington College; $21,854 at Sterling College), ROI score (3.09 vs 3.50), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,289 vs $30,573), and admissions selectivity (44.5% acceptance at Bennington College; 66.7% at Sterling College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Bennington College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 3.09 | 3.50 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $30,947 | $21,854 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $123,788 | $87,416 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $66,262 | $40,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $66,262 | $40,760 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,289 ✓ | $30,573 |
| Acceptance rate | 44.5% | 66.7% |
| Graduation rate | 71.2% ✓ | 31.6% |
| Retention rate | 82% | 85.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $23,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 780 | 50 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1364 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Bennington College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,480 ✓ | $18,533 |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,012 | $17,655 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $22,336 ✓ | $24,564 |
| Family income $75–110k | $25,508 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $44,625 | — |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Bennington College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Production Operations | 0.3% | 30% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.3% | 30% |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 0.3% | 30% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Sterling College reports the lower average net price by $9,093 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $36,372 difference over four years ($87,416 vs $123,788).
Bennington College reports $7,716 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($38,289 vs $30,573). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 82% at Bennington College and 85.7% at Sterling College. Median federal debt among completers is $26,000 vs $23,000, respectively.
3 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Bennington College vs Sterling College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Sterling College is cheaper — average net price $21,854 per year vs $30,947 at Bennington College. The annual difference of $9,093 adds up to about $36,372 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Bennington College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $38,289 vs $30,573 at Sterling College. The gap in the federal data is $7,716. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Bennington College is more selective at 44.5% acceptance vs 66.7% at Sterling College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.