Empire State University vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Empire State University is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Empire State University is located in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Empire State University 17:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Empire State University vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Empire State University 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 Empire State University than Sterling College ($11,659 vs. $21,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 23% lower than at Empire State University ($10,950 vs. $14,230).
• Sterling College is 432.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $33,112 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.1% higher at Sterling College than at Empire State University (about $23,202 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Empire State University (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 295% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($32,556 vs. $8,243).

Empire State University vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Empire State University 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 Empire State University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Empire State University - Not reported; Sterling College - Test-free.

Empire State University vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Empire State University 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 Empire State University's (19%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $6,215 lower median loan debt than Empire State University graduates ($17,035 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Empire State University graduates ($176 vs. $240).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 44%)

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.