Russell Sage College vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Russell Sage College in Troy, NY with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Russell Sage College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (2,790 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Russell Sage College is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Russell Sage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Russell Sage College 10:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Russell Sage College vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Russell Sage College 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 Russell Sage College than Sterling College ($21,046 vs. $21,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 22.1% lower than at Russell Sage College ($10,950 vs. $14,048).
• Sterling College is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Russell Sage College (about $2,596 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $38,164.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Sterling College than at Russell Sage College (about $2,596 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $38,164.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Russell Sage College as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 11.1% larger than aid received by Russell Sage College students ($32,556 vs. $29,295).

Russell Sage College vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Russell Sage College 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 Russell Sage College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Russell Sage College - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Russell Sage College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than Russell Sage College (53.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Russell Sage College vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Russell Sage College vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Russell Sage College 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).

• Russell Sage College's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $6,215 lower median loan debt than Russell Sage College graduates ($17,035 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Russell Sage College graduates ($176 vs. $240).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Russell Sage College 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.