Alma College vs. Sterling College

Alma College and Sterling College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Alma College
Sterling College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Alma College (57% admitted vs 66.7%). Typical SAT N/A vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $22,094 at Alma College vs $21,854 at Sterling College. Alma College in-state tuition is about $8,792 more per year.
  • Graduation: Alma College 67% vs Sterling College 50%.
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Key differences

Alma College Sterling College
Acceptance rate
Alma College more selective
Alma College57%
Sterling College66.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Alma College-
Sterling College-
Average net price
About even
Alma College$22,094
Sterling College$21,854
In-state tuition
Sterling College $8,792 less
Alma College$49,552
Sterling College$40,760
Out-of-state tuition
Sterling College $8,792 less
Alma College$49,552
Sterling College$40,760
Graduation rate
Alma College +17 pts
Alma College67%
Sterling College50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Alma College +$48,300
Alma College$48,300
Sterling College-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Alma College 5,208
  • Sterling College 69
  • Admitted
  • Alma College 2,970
  • Sterling College 46
  • Acceptance rate
  • Alma College 57%
  • Sterling College 66.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Alma College 9.6%
  • Sterling College 10.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Alma College
  • Sterling College
  • Typical ACT score
  • Alma College
  • Sterling College
  • Average high school GPA
  • Alma College 3.5
  • Sterling College 3.1
  • Typical high school grades
  • Alma College A-
  • Sterling College B
  • Admissions standards
  • Alma College Unavailable
  • Sterling College Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Alma College Low
  • Sterling College Low
  • SAT range
  • Alma College
  • Sterling College
  • ACT range
  • Alma College
  • Sterling College
  • Submit test scores
  • Alma College Test-free
  • Sterling College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Alma College
  • Sterling College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Alma College $49,552
  • Sterling College $40,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Alma College $49,552
  • Sterling College $40,760
  • Room & board
  • Alma College $14,180
  • Sterling College $10,950
  • Average net price
  • Alma College $22,094
  • Sterling College $21,854
  • Average grant aid
  • Alma College $41,618
  • Sterling College $32,556
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Alma College 100%
  • Sterling College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Alma College 67%
  • Sterling College 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Alma College $48,300
  • Sterling College N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • Alma College 77%
  • Sterling College 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Alma College $27,000
  • Sterling College $17,035
  • Median loan payment
  • Alma College $279
  • Sterling College $176
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Alma College 14:1
  • Sterling College 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Alma College
    • Business (21%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Sterling College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (48%)
    • Biology (33%)
    • Agriculture (14%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Location
  • Alma College Alma, MI
  • Sterling College Craftsbury Common, VT
  • Setting
  • Alma College Distant Town
  • Sterling College Remote Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • Alma College 1,197
  • Sterling College 57
  • Type
  • Alma College Private 4 Year
  • Sterling College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Alma College
  • 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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Alma College than at Sterling College (about $8,792 more per year; $49,552 vs. $40,760).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Alma College and Sterling College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Alma College average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at Sterling College (3.1).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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