Alma College vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Alma College vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Sterling College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sterling College than Alma College ($21,854 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 22.8% lower than at Alma College ($10,950 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 21.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $8,792 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Alma College than at Sterling College (about $8,792 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 27.8% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($41,618 vs. $32,556).

Alma College vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Sterling College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sterling College and Alma College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Alma College vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Sterling College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $9,965 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($17,035 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($176 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sterling College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.