Head-to-head · 2026
Sterling College vs Vermont State University
Compare average net price ($21,854 at Sterling College; $18,212 at Vermont State University), ROI score (3.50 vs 6.91), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($30,573 vs $50,331), and admissions selectivity (66.7% acceptance at Sterling College; 81.7% at Vermont State University) 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 | Vermont State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 3.50 | 6.91 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,854 | $18,212 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $87,416 | $72,848 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $40,760 | $11,952 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $40,760 | $22,296 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $30,573 | $50,331 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 66.7% | 81.7% |
| Graduation rate | 31.6% | 47.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 85.7% ✓ | 67.8% |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $15,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 50 | 3,590 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| 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 | Sterling College | Vermont State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,533 | $14,645 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $17,655 | $12,998 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $24,564 | $16,279 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $20,668 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $24,007 |
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 | Vermont State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30% | 3.8% |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 30% | 0.2% |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 30% | 0.2% |
| Outdoor Education | 10% | 1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Vermont State University reports the lower average net price by $3,642 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,568 difference over four years ($72,848 vs $87,416).
Vermont State University reports $19,758 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,331 vs $30,573). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 85.7% at Sterling College and 67.8% at Vermont State University. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $15,000, respectively.
4 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 Vermont State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Vermont State University is cheaper — average net price $18,212 per year vs $21,854 at Sterling College. The annual difference of $3,642 adds up to about $14,568 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Vermont State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,331 vs $30,573 at Sterling College. The gap in the federal data is $19,758. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Sterling College is more selective at 66.7% acceptance vs 81.7% at Vermont State 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.