Head-to-head · 2026
Sterling College vs University of Vermont
Compare average net price ($21,854 at Sterling College; $19,343 at University of Vermont), ROI score (3.50 vs 8.07), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($30,573 vs $62,472), and admissions selectivity (66.7% acceptance at Sterling College; 65.3% at University of Vermont) 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 | Sterling College | University of Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 3.50 | 8.07 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,854 | $19,343 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $87,416 | $77,372 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $40,760 | $19,058 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $40,760 | $45,502 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $30,573 | $62,472 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 66.7% | 65.3% |
| Graduation rate | 31.6% | 78.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 85.7% | 89.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $20,951 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 50 | 11,743 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1374 |
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 | Sterling College | University of Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,533 | $11,127 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $17,655 | $13,373 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $24,564 | $14,339 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $20,926 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $25,775 |
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 | Sterling College | University of Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30% | 0.1% |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 30% | 0.1% |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 30% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Vermont reports the lower average net price by $2,511 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $10,044 difference over four years ($77,372 vs $87,416).
University of Vermont reports $31,899 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,472 vs $30,573). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 85.7% at Sterling College and 89.2% at University of Vermont. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $20,951, 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
Sterling College vs University of Vermont, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Vermont is cheaper — average net price $19,343 per year vs $21,854 at Sterling College. The annual difference of $2,511 adds up to about $10,044 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Vermont reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $62,472 vs $30,573 at Sterling College. The gap in the federal data is $31,899. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Vermont is more selective at 65.3% 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.