RIC vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhode Island College in Providence, RI with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (6,155 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rhode Island College is located in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rhode Island College 15:1; Sterling College 7:1.

RIC vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIC 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 Rhode Island College than Sterling College ($10,346 vs. $21,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 18.4% lower than at Rhode Island College ($10,950 vs. $13,414).
• Sterling College is 260.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $29,460 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at Sterling College than at Rhode Island College (about $13,461 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $27,299.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Rhode Island College (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 385.5% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($32,556 vs. $6,706).

RIC vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIC 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 RIC.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island College 870/1120.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIC - Test optional; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sterling College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at RIC (3.08).
• RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at RIC vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

RIC vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIC 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 Rhode Island College's (44%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $4,165 lower median loan debt than RIC graduates ($17,035 vs. $21,200).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIC graduates ($176 vs. $219).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 59%)

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.