Head-to-head · 2026
Community College of Vermont vs Sterling College
Compare average net price ($13,696 at Community College of Vermont; $21,854 at Sterling College), ROI score (6.61 vs 3.50), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($36,234 vs $30,573), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Community College of Vermont; 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 | Community College of Vermont | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.61 ✓ | 3.50 |
| Avg net price | $13,696 ✓ | $21,854 |
| 4-year avg net price | $54,784 ✓ | $87,416 |
| In-state tuition | $6,920 | $40,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,640 | $40,760 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $36,234 ✓ | $30,573 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 66.7% |
| Graduation rate | 19.6% | 31.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 49% | 85.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,491 ✓ | $23,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,841 | 50 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
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 | Community College of Vermont | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,373 ✓ | $18,533 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,719 ✓ | $17,655 |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,430 ✓ | $24,564 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,658 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,373 | — |
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 | Community College of Vermont | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 18.7% | 30% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Community College of Vermont reports the lower average net price by $8,158 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $32,632 difference over four years ($54,784 vs $87,416).
Community College of Vermont reports $5,661 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($36,234 vs $30,573). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 49% at Community College of Vermont and 85.7% at Sterling College. Median federal debt among completers is $10,491 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
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Frequently asked
Community College of Vermont vs Sterling College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Community College of Vermont is cheaper — average net price $13,696 per year vs $21,854 at Sterling College. The annual difference of $8,158 adds up to about $32,632 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Community College of Vermont reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $36,234 vs $30,573 at Sterling College. The gap in the federal data is $5,661. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.