SCSU vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Sterling College 7:1.

SCSU vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU 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 Southern Connecticut State University than Sterling College ($19,827 vs. $21,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 26.7% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($10,950 vs. $14,938).
• Sterling College is 203.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCSU (about $27,322 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $13,438.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.9% higher at Sterling College than at Southern Connecticut State University (about $13,382 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $27,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Southern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 226.3% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($32,556 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU 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 SCSU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SCSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

SCSU vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU 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 Southern Connecticut State University's (44%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $6,215 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($17,035 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($176 vs. $240).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

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.