Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (2,256 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, NC (Small City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir Rhyne University than Sterling College ($21,546 vs. $21,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 18.3% lower than at Lenoir Rhyne University ($10,950 vs. $13,400).
• Sterling College is 27.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lenoir-Rhyne University (about $8,860 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.8% higher at Sterling College than at Lenoir Rhyne University (about $8,860 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 38.7% larger than aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students ($32,556 vs. $23,467).

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Lenoir-Rhyne University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $9,965 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($17,035 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($176 vs. $279).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lenoir-Rhyne University 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.