Oakwood University vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

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

Oakwood University is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (1,226 students vs. 57 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakwood University is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Oakwood University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakwood University 14:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Oakwood University vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakwood 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 Oakwood University ($21,854 vs. $26,730).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakwood University are 14.3% lower than at Sterling College ($9,384 vs. $10,950).
• Sterling College is 81.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakwood University (about $18,248 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $22,512.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.1% higher at Sterling College than at Oakwood University (about $18,248 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $22,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Oakwood University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 143.8% larger than aid received by Oakwood University students ($32,556 vs. $13,356).

Oakwood University vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakwood University or Sterling College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sterling College and Oakwood University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakwood University - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Sterling College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Oakwood University (2.99).
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than Oakwood University (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Oakwood University vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Oakwood University vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakwood University and Sterling College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Oakwood University's (35%).
• Graduates from Oakwood University have median earnings of about $37,400 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Sterling College.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $13,965 lower median loan debt than Oakwood University graduates ($17,035 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakwood University graduates ($176 vs. $320).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakwood University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 27%)

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.