Shaw University vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Shaw University in Raleigh, NC with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Shaw University is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (964 students vs. 57 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 15.9% lower than at Sterling College ($9,210 vs. $10,950).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.4% higher at Sterling College than at Shaw University (about $23,222 more per year; $40,760 vs. $17,538).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Shaw University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 125.8% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($32,556 vs. $14,417).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Shaw University and Sterling College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Sterling College average a 3.1 high school GPA, 0.5 higher than at Shaw University (2.6).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 4.1% at Shaw University vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $20,965 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($17,035 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $216 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($176 vs. $392).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 15%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.