Head-to-head · 2026
Champlain College vs Sterling College
Compare average net price ($35,860 at Champlain College; $21,854 at Sterling College), ROI score (4.07 vs 3.50), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($58,386 vs $30,573), and admissions selectivity (82.9% acceptance at Champlain 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 | Champlain College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.07 ✓ | 3.50 |
| Avg net price | $35,860 | $21,854 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $143,440 | $87,416 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $47,850 | $40,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $47,850 | $40,760 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $58,386 ✓ | $30,573 |
| Acceptance rate | 82.9% | 66.7% |
| Graduation rate | 65.2% ✓ | 31.6% |
| Retention rate | 81.7% | 85.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $26,814 | $23,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,752 | 50 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1312 | — |
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 | Champlain College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $28,885 | $18,533 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $26,034 | $17,655 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $34,164 | $24,564 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $33,857 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $41,438 | — |
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 | Champlain College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.6% | 30% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Sterling College reports the lower average net price by $14,006 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $56,024 difference over four years ($87,416 vs $143,440).
Champlain College reports $27,813 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($58,386 vs $30,573). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.7% at Champlain College and 85.7% at Sterling College. Median federal debt among completers is $26,814 vs $23,000, respectively.
1 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.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Champlain 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 $35,860 at Champlain College. The annual difference of $14,006 adds up to about $56,024 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Champlain College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $58,386 vs $30,573 at Sterling College. The gap in the federal data is $27,813. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Sterling College is more selective at 66.7% acceptance vs 82.9% at Champlain 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.