Berklee School of Music vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Berklee College of Music is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (8,369 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berklee College of Music is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Berklee College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berklee College of Music 9:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Berklee School of Music vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berklee School of Music 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 Berklee School of Music ($21,854 vs. $49,797).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 45.1% lower than at Berklee College of Music ($10,950 vs. $19,930).
• Berklee College of Music is 27.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $11,280 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.7% higher at Berklee School of Music than at Sterling College (about $11,280 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Berklee College of Music (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 39.5% larger than aid received by Berklee College of Music students ($32,556 vs. $23,346).

Berklee School of Music vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berklee School of Music 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 Berklee School of Music.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berklee School of Music - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berklee School of Music Jan 15, 2027.
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than Berklee School of Music (43.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Berklee School of Music vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Berklee School of Music vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berklee School of Music 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).

• Berklee College of Music's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $8,215 lower median loan debt than Berklee School of Music graduates ($17,035 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Berklee School of Music graduates ($176 vs. $261).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berklee School of Music students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

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.