Head-to-head · 2026
Middlebury College vs Sterling College
Compare average net price ($31,483 at Middlebury College; $21,854 at Sterling College), ROI score (6.06 vs 3.50), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($76,310 vs $30,573), and admissions selectivity (10.8% acceptance at Middlebury 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 | Middlebury College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.06 ✓ | 3.50 |
| Avg net price | $31,483 | $21,854 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $125,932 | $87,416 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $67,600 | $40,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $67,600 | $40,760 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $76,310 ✓ | $30,573 |
| Acceptance rate | 10.8% | 66.7% |
| Graduation rate | 91.4% ✓ | 31.6% |
| Retention rate | 93.7% ✓ | 85.7% |
| Median debt | $13,857 ✓ | $23,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,738 | 50 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1508 | — |
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 | Middlebury College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,723 ✓ | $18,533 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,229 ✓ | $17,655 |
| Family income $48–75k | $17,510 ✓ | $24,564 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,526 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $49,824 | — |
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 | Middlebury College | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.4% | 30% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Sterling College reports the lower average net price by $9,629 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $38,516 difference over four years ($87,416 vs $125,932).
Middlebury College reports $45,737 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($76,310 vs $30,573). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 93.7% at Middlebury College and 85.7% at Sterling College. Median federal debt among completers is $13,857 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.
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Frequently asked
Middlebury 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 $31,483 at Middlebury College. The annual difference of $9,629 adds up to about $38,516 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Middlebury College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $76,310 vs $30,573 at Sterling College. The gap in the federal data is $45,737. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Middlebury College is more selective at 10.8% 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.