Lesley University vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

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

Lesley University is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Lesley University vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley 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 Sterling College than Lesley University ($21,854 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 45% lower than at Lesley University ($10,950 vs. $19,920).
• Sterling College is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $6,504 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at Sterling College than at Lesley University (about $6,504 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 69.9% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($32,556 vs. $19,167).

Lesley University vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley 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 Lesley University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Lesley University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Lesley University vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley 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 Lesley University's (49%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $7,285 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($17,035 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($176 vs. $251).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)

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.