Paine College vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Paine College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (390 students vs. 57 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Paine College vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine 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 Paine College than Sterling College ($15,935 vs. $21,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 31.4% lower than at Sterling College ($7,512 vs. $10,950).
• Sterling College is 179.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $26,164 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 179.3% higher at Sterling College than at Paine College (about $26,164 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Paine College as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 168.1% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($32,556 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Paine College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Sterling College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Paine College vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine College 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 Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Paine College have median earnings of about $28,400 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 $18,715 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($17,035 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $193 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($176 vs. $369).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 15%)

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.