Manhattan School of Music vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Manhattan School of Music in New York, NY with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Manhattan School of Music is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Manhattan School of Music is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Manhattan School of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Manhattan School of Music 6:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Manhattan School of Music vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Manhattan School of Music 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 Manhattan School of Music ($21,854 vs. $51,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 39.3% lower than at Manhattan School of Music ($10,950 vs. $18,050).
• Manhattan School of Music is 40% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $16,290 more per year; $57,050.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at Manhattan School of Music than at Sterling College (about $16,290 more per year; $57,050.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Manhattan School of Music (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 25.2% larger than aid received by Manhattan School of Music students ($32,556 vs. $26,001).

Manhattan School of Music vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Manhattan School of Music 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 Manhattan School of Music.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Manhattan School of Music - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Manhattan School of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Manhattan School of Music students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than Manhattan School of Music (40.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.3% at Manhattan School of Music vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Manhattan School of Music vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Manhattan School of Music 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).

• Manhattan School of Music's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $6,715 lower median loan debt than Manhattan School of Music graduates ($17,035 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Manhattan School of Music graduates ($176 vs. $245).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Manhattan School of Music students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 65%)

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.