Head-to-head · 2026
Norwich University vs Sterling College
Compare average net price ($22,257 at Norwich University; $21,854 at Sterling College), ROI score (7.37 vs 3.50), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($65,575 vs $30,573), and admissions selectivity (74.4% acceptance at Norwich University; 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 | Norwich University | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.37 ✓ | 3.50 |
| Avg net price | $22,257 | $21,854 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $89,028 | $87,416 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $49,740 | $40,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $49,740 | $40,760 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $65,575 ✓ | $30,573 |
| Acceptance rate | 74.4% | 66.7% |
| Graduation rate | 60.2% ✓ | 31.6% |
| Retention rate | 79.3% | 85.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $23,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,428 | 50 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1190 | — |
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 | Norwich University | Sterling College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $15,610 ✓ | $18,533 |
| Family income $30–48k | $16,164 ✓ | $17,655 |
| Family income $48–75k | $17,332 ✓ | $24,564 |
| Family income $75–110k | $22,046 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,854 | — |
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.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Sterling College reports the lower average net price by $403 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,612 difference over four years ($87,416 vs $89,028).
Norwich University reports $35,002 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($65,575 vs $30,573). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.3% at Norwich University and 85.7% at Sterling College. Median federal debt among completers is $25,000 vs $23,000, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Norwich University 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 $22,257 at Norwich University. The annual difference of $403 adds up to about $1,612 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Norwich University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $65,575 vs $30,573 at Sterling College. The gap in the federal data is $35,002. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Sterling College is more selective at 66.7% acceptance vs 74.4% at Norwich University.
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.