Sterling College vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (4,575 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 7:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

Sterling College vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sterling College or Penn 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 Penn College ($21,854 vs. $23,675).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 14.6% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Technology ($10,950 vs. $12,818).
• Sterling College is 123.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn College (about $22,520 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $18,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.9% higher at Sterling College than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (about $14,780 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $25,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (100% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 263.2% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students ($32,556 vs. $8,964).

Sterling College vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sterling College or Penn 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 Penn College and Sterling College.

• Pennsylvania College of Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sterling College - Test-free; Penn College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Sterling College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Penn College (3.05).

Sterling College vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sterling College and Penn 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 Pennsylvania College of Technology's (42%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $4,465 lower median loan debt than Penn College graduates ($17,035 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn College graduates ($176 vs. $222).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 65%)

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.