Pitzer vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Pitzer College in Claremont, CA with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pitzer College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (1,242 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pitzer College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Pitzer College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pitzer College 10:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Pitzer vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitzer 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 Pitzer ($21,854 vs. $34,979).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 50.6% lower than at Pitzer College ($10,950 vs. $22,150).
• Pitzer College is 59.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $24,432 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.9% higher at Pitzer than at Sterling College (about $24,432 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Pitzer College (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pitzer College students is 58.1% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($51,487 vs. $32,556).

Pitzer vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitzer 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 Pitzer.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitzer - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pitzer Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitzer students have a 0.83 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than Pitzer (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at Pitzer vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Pitzer vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitzer 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).

• Pitzer College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pitzer College graduates have a $1,140 lower median loan debt than Sterling College graduates ($15,895 vs. $17,035).
• Among borrowers, Pitzer graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sterling College graduates ($164 vs. $176).
• More Pitzer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sterling College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)

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.