Hampshire College vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

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

Hampshire College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (844 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Hampshire College vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire 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 Hampshire College ($21,854 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 31.4% lower than at Hampshire College ($10,950 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 44.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $18,136 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.5% higher at Hampshire College than at Sterling College (about $18,136 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 41.7% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($46,145 vs. $32,556).

Hampshire College vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Hampshire College vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire 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).

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $6,496 lower median loan debt than Hampshire College graduates ($17,035 vs. $23,531).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hampshire College graduates ($176 vs. $243).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampshire College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.