Fisher College vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

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

Fisher College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (1,652 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fisher College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Fisher College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fisher College 14:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Fisher College vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher 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 Fisher College ($21,854 vs. $28,596).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 39.3% lower than at Fisher College ($10,950 vs. $18,041).
• Sterling College is 14.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fisher College (about $5,071 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $35,689.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Sterling College than at Fisher College (about $5,071 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $35,689.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Fisher College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 28.3% larger than aid received by Fisher College students ($32,556 vs. $25,379).

Fisher College vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher 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 Fisher College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 800/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher College - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Sterling College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Fisher College (2.72).
• Fisher College has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.1% at Fisher College vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Fisher College vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher 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).

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Fisher College's (48%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $2,152 lower median loan debt than Fisher College graduates ($17,035 vs. $19,187).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fisher College graduates ($176 vs. $198).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 45%)

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.