Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($21,854 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 7.2% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($10,950 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $15,316 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Sterling College (about $15,316 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($41,450 vs. $32,556).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $9,965 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($17,035 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($176 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sterling College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.