Bethune-Cookman vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethune Cookman University is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (2,853 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethune Cookman University is located in Daytona Beach, FL (Small City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Bethune Cookman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethune Cookman University 17:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Bethune-Cookman vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune Cookman University than Sterling College ($12,476 vs. $21,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethune Cookman University are 5.1% lower than at Sterling College ($10,396 vs. $10,950).
• Sterling College is 175.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethune-Cookman (about $25,966 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $14,794.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175.5% higher at Sterling College than at Bethune Cookman University (about $25,966 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $14,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Bethune Cookman University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 89.5% larger than aid received by Bethune Cookman University students ($32,556 vs. $17,181).

Bethune-Cookman vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune-Cookman.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethune Cookman University 830/990.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethune-Cookman - Test optional; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Bethune-Cookman students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Bethune-Cookman has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Bethune-Cookman vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Bethune-Cookman vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethune-Cookman 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).

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Bethune Cookman University's (37%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $18,950 lower median loan debt than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($17,035 vs. $35,985).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $196 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($176 vs. $372).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethune-Cookman students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 20%)

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.