Warren Wilson vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Warren Wilson College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (791 students vs. 57 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Warren Wilson vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson 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 Sterling College than Warren Wilson ($21,854 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 16.1% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($10,950 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $740 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Warren Wilson than at Sterling College (about $740 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 5.4% larger than aid received by Warren Wilson College students ($32,556 vs. $30,887).

Warren Wilson vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson or Sterling College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sterling College and Warren Wilson.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Warren Wilson vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson and Sterling College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Warren Wilson College's (45%).
• Graduates from Warren Wilson College have median earnings of about $30,800 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Sterling College.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $5,965 lower median loan debt than Warren Wilson graduates ($17,035 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Warren Wilson graduates ($176 vs. $237).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Warren Wilson students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.